AI predicts which 7 EFL Championship clubs are most likely to merge or disappear by 2050 | OneFootball

AI has highlighted which seven EFL Championship clubs could be in danger over the next 25 years

Football is a sport that has been constantly evolving since its very introduction.

The game that is played today is completely different from what audiences turned out to see in the year 2000, with tactical systems and player training developing tremendously in that time.

There is no real way of knowing what the future may hold, but as costs rise globally, some clubs may not feel as confident in their survival compared to the start of the millennium. In recent years, we've lost the likes of Bury, whilst Sheffield Wednesday are a current EFL club whose fans might be fearing the worst when it comes to their very existence.

Of course, the incoming independent regulator could force "unsuitable owners" into selling, and ultimately saving, clubs in the near future.

However, it's something very topical right now, and, with this in mind, Football League World has employed AI chatbot, ChatGPT, to predict which seven EFL Championship clubs are most likely to merge or disappear by 2050.

Sheffield Wednesday

Unsurprisingly, ChatGPT wasted no time in selecting Sheffield Wednesday as its first choice.

Owner Dejphon Chansiri’s financial woes have seen the Owls placed under six embargoes by the EFL, which the AI highlights as a major worry for their long-term security.

If the Thai businessman continues to dig his heels into the ground over a sale, insolvency could be on the cards, according to the chatbot.

Derby County

Derby County have been flagged up by ChatGPT, due to their recent history of administration and reliance on a new owner who has injected money into the club.

The AI states that this leaves the Rams’ future solely down to David Clowes’ appetite for continued investment. If this ceases, the chatbot predicts that Derby could be in serious trouble.

Blackburn Rovers

Much like Sheffield Wednesday, ChatGPT highlights the Venky’s ownership as a potential reason for Blackburn Rovers to merge or disappear by 2050.

Due to the fact that Rovers has been sustained by shareholder loans rather than operating spurless, it is a major worry for AI, who points out that this route of funding is a solvency risk.

Millwall

ChatGPT believes that Millwall need promotion to the Premier League or a sizeable sponsorship deal to keep them afloat in the next 25 years, due to wide operating losses in recent times.

The increasing costs of football will force them into seeking a merger, according to AI, or if failing that, insolvency.

Oxford United

Oxford United’s recent steps to develop their stadium are a major source of worry for ChatGPT, who believe that such high, multi-year running costs open the club up to exposure.

The AI highlights that Gary Rowett’s side are likely to be relegated from the Championship over the next few years, which would in turn lead to a decrease in revenue, which could put them in real trouble given their commitment to stadium development.

Portsmouth

ChatGPT states that despite Pompey bringing in strong matchday revenue, they still make a multi-million pound loss in their annual accounts on average, which over time could place them in financial peril.

Like Oxford, the AI believes that relegation to the third-tier could be damning for Portsmouth and would force them into drastic measures such as fan-ownership rescue models.

Hull City

A series of rapidly rising losses places Hull City in danger, according to the chatbot, which states that the club may be forced to sell assets in order to keep afloat.

If that fails, the Tigers are predicted to seek a merger, with Scunthorpe United the most likely candidate to approach in ChatGPT’s eyes.