Everton Hill Dickinson
In a bid to revolutionize football scouting, Comparisonator CEO Tarkan Batgun is harnessing the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance recruitment strategies, with Everton identified as a potential beneficiary. Amidst a tumultuous period marked by eight managerial changes in as many years, Everton has struggled with strategic clarity, resulting in a precarious position in the Premier League. Batgun’s AI-driven approach promises to bring alignment and precision to the club’s recruitment processes.
Tarkan Batgun said: “I don’t know the club’s internal operational models and structure but in my humble opinion, Everton’s challenge in recent years wasn’t a lack of effort — it was a lack of clarity. There were too many changes in coaches, styles, strategies, timelines and recruitment logic. What I believe that Everton possibly needs is alignment and precision, and that is exactly what AI decision-support can provide.”
Batgun outlined five key factors through which AI could assist Everton in refining their recruitment strategy:
He said: “Identifying players who fit the manager’s football – not just good players. Wrong profiles have cost the club millions. Evaluating if a player can survive Premier League intensity. Many past signings failed because their previous league did not prepare them for the tempo of English top-flight football. Reducing risk by analysing adaptation probability. The Premier League is the most difficult league to ‘translate’ into, but our League Translation models help avoid expensive mistakes. Finding undervalued players before they explode. Brighton, Brentford and Bournemouth succeed because they trust contextual data, not status or reputation. Ensuring long-term consistency in decision-making. Even with changes in coach or ownership, the recruitment framework stays stable.”
Batgun’s insights emphasize the potential for AI to provide a more sustainable and effective recruitment framework, which could be crucial for Everton as they look to rebuild. By leveraging contextual analytics over raw numbers or subjective reports, the club could achieve smarter and faster growth. Batgun envisions a future where AI facilitates communication between sporting directors and coaches, enabling them to make informed decisions based on real football language rather than mere data.
He added: “Imagine a future where sporting directors and coaches talk to the system. They could ask: ‘Show me a left-back who fits our pressing traps; which U21 striker is ready to survive the tempo of the Premier League; find loan destinations where my midfielder will grow fastest’. AI will answer in real football language – not tables and charts. Recruitment will also shift from talent to environment matching. But AI won’t replace football people.”
The integration of AI in football scouting represents a significant shift in how clubs like Everton could approach recruitment, focusing on environment matching and long-term consistency. As Everton seeks to overcome its recent challenges, AI-driven decision support could play a pivotal role in their journey towards stability and success.
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