Football writers need not fear AI taking their jobs if Gemini's selections for the worst Premier League players in 2026/27 are any indication. The AI's picks are riddled with factual errors, from incorrect transfer fees to misidentified clubs, making its opinions laughably unreliable.
Gemini's flawed picks
The AI named Sandro Tonali, Bradley Barcola, Alejandro Garnacho, Liam Delap, and Omar Marmoush as the season's worst so far. However, each entry contains glaring inaccuracies. For Tonali, Gemini claimed he moved from Newcastle for £92.5million, though the actual package was worth up to £100m. The AI also misidentified Marmoush's loan source, saying Eintracht Frankfurt instead of Manchester City.
Garnacho was described as a loan signing from Chelsea for Aston Villa, but the 22-year-old has only played 31 minutes across three substitute appearances. Delap, meanwhile, was said to have been acquired from Chelsea for £45m, but he was actually snapped up from Ipswich Town for £30m a year ago.
Statistical rebuttals
Beyond the factual slips, the statistical claims fall apart. Tonali has racked up 293 completed passes, four shots on target from outside the box, 11 tackles, four interceptions, two blocks, and 20 duels won in five appearances. For comparison, Archie Gray, with four appearances, has managed just five tackles and four interceptions.
Barcola, despite a £123m move from Paris Saint-Germain, has been limited to 170 minutes due to injury and Cody Gakpo's form. His seven dribbles and 77% pass completion rate look poor, but Bournemouth's Rayan, with 438 minutes, has only six dribbles and a 62% pass completion rate.
Bright spots overlooked
Garnacho's 94% pass completion rate beats Bukayo Saka, Antoine Semenyo, Rayan Cherki, and Marcus Rashford, though he has had far less pitch time. Delap has already scored against Villa this season, unlike Dominic Solanke, Taiwo Awoniyi, and Tammy Abraham, who have yet to find the net.
Marmoush, on loan with a £60m obligation to buy, holds a 94% pass completion rate, has won 71% of his dribbles, and has had 14 touches inside opponents' boxes. While he hasn't scored or assisted yet, he is showing signs of promise in a Spurs side undergoing a complete first-team overhaul. The AI's picks, therefore, fail to reflect the actual performances on the pitch.
