The evaluation of a footballer is no longer based solely on the number of goals and assists or the coach’s feedback. Cameras and tracking devices now record his speed, his movements without the ball, his positioning, the intensity of his running, and his ability to press, before artificial intelligence analyzes thousands of data and turns it into an accurate picture of his performance.
These systems help technical staff detect physical decline that may not be apparent to the eye, adjust training loads, and monitor stress indicators that may increase the risk of injury. It also reveals the extent of the player’s commitment to the plan, the spaces he leaves behind him, and the decisions he makes under pressure, which gives the coach a broader basis for choosing the lineup or making substitutions.
The influence of artificial intelligence has extended to the transfer market. Instead of just looking for a player with high offensive numbers, clubs can identify who specifically suits their style, and compare hundreds of players according to their movements, roles, and competition conditions. Thus, an unpopular player may emerge as a better option than a high-priced star.
One of the most notable examples came from Google DeepMind’s collaboration with Liverpool to develop the TacticAI system. The system analyzed 7,176 corner kicks from the English Premier League, with the aim of predicting which player will reach the ball and the possibility of the corner ending with a shot, and suggesting adjustments to the players’ positioning. In tests, the club’s experts preferred his proposals over the original plans in 90% of cases.
But the algorithm does not always know why the player ran less, or whether he was following special instructions, or experiencing psychological and health conditions. The quality of the opponent, the difference in position, and the nature of the match may make the number misleading if read out of context.
Therefore, AI will not replace the coach or the scout, but it will change the way they work. In modern football, the eye alone is no longer sufficient, while numbers remain worthless if the person capable of interpreting them is absent.
