Football is undergoing a silent but decisive transformation. Beyond the pitch, clubs are increasingly turning to artificial intelligence to anticipate the market and optimise their sporting decisions. One of the most advanced tools in this field is PLAIER, a system that works with a database of more than 300,000 players from more than 200 countries and offers personalised analysis according to the playing style of each team.
The tool has selected for MARCA, after Real Madrid’s elimination against Arsenal in the Champions League, when there is more talk of possible changes, an exclusive report in which it identifies the players most compatible with Real Madrid’s system in five key positions: full-backs, midfield and wingers. The criteria takes into account individual performance, tactical fit and compatibility with the current squad.
“The system measures a player’s contribution to the team’s success, analyses their style of play and position on the pitch before looking for similar profiles in terms of efficiency, style and role,” Jan Wendt, CEO and co-founder of the company, told MARCA.Offensive-minded full-backs
On the right side, Reece James (Chelsea), Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool) and Josip Stanisic (Bayern) stand out. All of them excel in their offensive contribution and ability to generate from the flank, essential elements in a team that needs width and precision.
“Alexander-Arnold is excellent in many actions typical of the right-back, but he has certain weaknesses in aspects such as interceptions, aerial duels or one-on-ones,” Wendt tells this newspaper from the other end of the phone. “Although signing him on a free transfer would make economic sense, if Madrid are willing to invest, Reece James is a better option: he has fewer weaknesses and also excels in the same indicators where TAA excels.”
“Although signing him on a free transfer would make economic sense, if Madrid are willing to invest, Reece James is a better option
In the left-back position, the tool selects Oleksandr Zinchenko (Arsenal), versatile and with great ball control; Maximilian Mittelstadt (Stuttgart), one of the most outstanding in the Bundesliga this season; and Lewis Hall (Newcastle), a young English talent with great potential.
A new brain behind Kroos
With Toni Kroos already retired, the Real Madrid engine room is looking for continuity that this year has only been offered, at times, by a now recovered Dani Ceballos. The best candidates to fill this role of organizer with arrival and vision of the game are Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United), James Maddison (Tottenham) and Joey Veerman (PSV), all with notable offensive records and creativity in the last pass.
“Each position has a profile that reflects what kind of actions are most important for that role,” says Wendt. “Kroos was the best in the most decisive ones for a midfielder. He played mainly as a deep-lying playmaker, although he could also play as a creator in more advanced areas, giving his team total flexibility.”
“Within our system, Kroos has one of the best historical records for a midfielder. Although there are few players who come close to his level, Bruno Fernandes, James Maddison and Joey Veerman are the most similar and potentially accessible for Real Madrid,”
Vinicius’ replacement and dynamite on the wings
On the left, if a replacement for Vinicius were ever needed (who, as Marcos Bernat of Radio MARCA reported, had contacts with Saudi Arabia), the system suggests Jeremy Doku (Manchester City), electric and vertical; Luis Sinisterra (Bournemouth), with Premier League experience; and Alejandro Garnacho (Manchester United), pure power and dribbling.
“Vinicius is one of the highest rated players in our system for his position. Replacing him would be very difficult,” admits Wendt. “However, Doku, Sinisterra and Garnacho are the closest to his profile and the tasks he performs in a match.”
On the right flank, the tool selects Noni Madueke (Chelsea), a pure winger with dribbling ability; Estevao (Palmeiras), a future Brazilian gem who will soon join Chelsea; and Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), one of the most complete and consistent footballers on the European scene.
Technology at the service of talent
Artificial intelligence does not replace the scout’s eye, but it does speed up processes and reduce the margin of error. At Real Madrid, or any club where every signing is measured to the millimetre, this type of technology can make a difference.
These are the names proposed by AI to solve Real Madrid’s ‘evils’. In these times, algorithms help to anticipate the future… without forgetting the present.
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