Artificial intelligence could soon become the magical tool football managers need to discover upcoming talent and boost their teams’ performance in unprecedented ways. Tech experts claim managers will be able to request specific player specifications, and AI will provide ideal recommendations from among thousands of young players.
A new digital talent scouting system
The digital scouting specialist company “E-Pool” has developed a system based on video and automated tracking technologies to monitor the performance of about 180,000 young football players from around the world. The system includes players from 28 countries and relies on the largest youth database of its kind in the world, allowing it to identify young talent based on models of world-class players like Erling Haaland and Jude Bellingham.
“E-Pool” identifies eight ideal player archetypes, including the “multi-tasking midfielder,” the “modern number 9,” the “number 10 playmaker,” and the “inverted fullback.” For example, the specifications of the ideal midfielder combine traits of players like Steven Gerrard, Kevin De Bruyne, and Jude Bellingham.
Future developments
David Hicks, co-founder of the company, explained that the system could evolve in the near future to the point where managers can use voice commands such as “I want a player like Steven Gerrard” for the system to output a list of suitable candidates.
Technology at the heart of the pitches
“E-Pool” has equipped English Premier League clubs and other European and North American clubs with cameras to record precise player data in youth matches. This data includes distances covered by players, speed, number of sprints, acceleration, and even the sharp angles at which they turn.
Some players discovered through the system have begun joining professional clubs, such as Abdoulaye Kante, a young midfielder from Ivory Coast who joined French club “Troyes,” and Daniel Skarvold, the Norwegian winger who moved to the “Ajax” academy.
Challenges and opportunities
The company is still in the phase of verifying the long-term effectiveness of this approach. Results will be known years from now when it becomes clear whether players selected via artificial intelligence have achieved the expected success.
On the other hand, some point out that AI might change the nature of players chosen for top levels. Despite this, final decisions remain with the managers according to club philosophy and tactical needs.
Other promising technologies
Another company called “Talents,” managed by former English player Sol Campbell, is developing similar technologies to monitor players in countries such as South Africa, Ghana, and Ivory Coast. These technologies aim to make the scouting process more democratic and transparent, away from the influence of player agents.
Artificial intelligence and the future of football
With the development of these technologies, we may witness a major shift in how football talent is discovered and managed. Questions remain open as to whether these tools will radically change the way the game is played or remain a supportive tool for talent development.
