AI PREDICTS WHAT GREAT BRITAIN'S OLYMPIC SQUAD WOULD HAVE LOOKED LIKE

Although there isn’t a Team GB football team at the 2024 Paris Olympics, cast your mind back 12 years ago to the games in London, where manager Stuart Pearce led out a team - mixed with English and Welsh players - in the hope of glory on home soil.

Alongside skipper Ryan Giggs, a Manchester United legend, the likes of Craig Bellamy and Aaron Ramsey made up part of the Wales-based contingent, while Micah Richards and Jack Butland - who was just 19 at the time - represented England.

The underlying issues between the four home nations in Great Britain mean that Team GB is no longer a commodity - but what would the team look like? The Daily Star have mustered a collection of players, using the useful tools of ChatGPT, who predicted the 17 players that would have made the squad.

Goalkeepers

James Trafford, Angus Gunn

Kicking off with those who stand between the posts, only two glovesmen were predicted to be in the squad by ChatGPT - one with little experience on the international stage and one who represented his country at Euro 2024 this summer.

Newcastle United-linked James Trafford, despite being the hero for Lee Carsley’s Under-21s in the European Championships final, is still yet to play for England’s senior team - but may have used the Olympics in France to propel his status among his nation’s shot-stoppers.

A man who has chalked up 13 international appearances for his country, Scotland, Southampton’s Angus Gunn makes up the other half of the goalkeeper selection. The Norwich-born 'keeper would likely have been the first choice had this team been at Paris 2024.

Defenders

Levi Colwill, Neco Wiliams, Ben Johnson, Marc Guehi

Starting off strong with Chelsea ace Levi Colwill, who is admired by Bundesliga juggernauts Bayern Munich, Team GB’s back four would look very sturdy if ChatGPT got their predictions correct.

Deputising for the injured Harry Maguire at Euro 2024, Marc Guehi was one of the Three Lions’ standout performers but, according to ChatGPT, would be back on a plane en route to Paris after yet another outstanding season with his employers, Crystal Palace.

On the right-hand side would be Ben Johnson, who has recently made the switch from West Ham United to Ipswich Town, after a lack of game time in east London. Despite his relative lack of international experience, the right-back has proven his reliability over the years.

Nottingham Forest star Neco Williams - the defender with by far and away the most international experience - would be stationed on the left. A 39-cap Wales international, Williams is a former Liverpool youth star and would have been a solid choice.

Midfielders

Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott, Jacob Ramsey, Elliot Anderson, James Ward-Prowse, Charlie Savage

Liverpool duo Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliot, despite boasting zero senior England caps between them, would be given the opportunity to represent Team GB in the French capital, according to ChatGPT. Playing under Jurgen Klopp could have given them the relevant tools to perform on the big stage. Youngster Jacob Ramsey joins them as another uncapped Englishman at senior level.

Scot Elliot Anderson - who now plies his trade for Nottingham Forest - made the cut, while the experienced James Ward-Prowse - widely regarded as one of the best free-kick takers in world football - takes the fifth midfielder slot, leaving just one left.

That place goes to former Manchester United academy prospect Charlie Savage, son of midfielder-turned-pundit Robbie. For Wales, the now-Reading ace has racked up two appearances and would look to leave his mark in Paris.

Forwards

Anthony Gordon, Brennan Johnson, Morgan Gibbs-White, Liam Delap, Lyndon Dykes

Anthony Gordon may have struggled for game time under Southgate at this summer’s European Championships, but ChatGPT predicted him to be included in Team GB’s squad. And in Paris, there’s no doubt the Everton youth product - one of the best wingers in England's top division - would have been the spearhead of the attack.

Tottenham Hotspur forward Brennan Johnson, a 30-cap Wales international, also makes the grade after an impressive maiden season in north London, notching 15 goal involvements (five goals, ten assists) in 32 Premier League outings. Neither Morgan Gibbs-White nor Liam Delap have been given the opportunity - like many others in this predicted squad - to represent the Three Lions as yet, but both were included by ChatGPT.

The latter has recently upped and left Manchester City for the newly promoted Ipswich Town and will be looking to stamp his authority on the English top tier in the up-and-coming campaign.

Scotland's only representative in the forward category, Lyndon Dykes would look to take his expertise and goal scoring ability to Paris, though it remains unknown whether he’d be Team GB’s leading marksman.

2024-07-26T21:18:20Z dg43tfdfdgfd