AI chatbot selects Brighton's greatest all-time XI featuring 70s and 80s stalwart defender and goal-scoring legend
We asked ChatGPT to name the best Brighton & Hove Albion XI ever...
By Matt Pole
Published 3rd Mar 2023, 11:56 BST
Updated 22nd Mar 2023, 09:23 BST
We’ve all seen the films - I, Robot, 2001: Space Odyssey, Blade Runner, Ex Machina, The Matrix, Terminator 2: Judgment Day, Her and Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery - and the message is very clear; Artifical Intelligence is either out to harm or seduce us, and regardless of whichever future it chooses to pursue, we’re done for.
Nonetheless, and in spite of Hollywood’s gravest warnings, the relentless advance of AI marches onwards, slowly speckling every aspect of our modern life and is really finding its virtual feet as a creative force.
We have decided to give ChatGPT an opportunity to prove itself and asked it to select a best-ever Brighton & Hove Albion XI.
The Seagulls are thriving in the Premier League and FA Cup this season – but none of Roberto De Zerbi’s heroes were deemed good enough to make ChatGPT’s team.
This is the team ChatGPT has selected (in a 4-3-3 formation).
We have decided to give ChatGPT an opportunity to prove itself and asked it to select a best-ever Brighton & Hove Albion XI.
9. Midfielder: Tony Grealish
ChatGPT says: Another player who played a key role in Brighton's promotion to the top-flight in 1979, Grealish was a skillful (sic) midfielder who scored some important goals for the club. SussexWorld says: Not quite sure how Grealish (left) helped Brighton to top-flight promotion in 1979 considering he joined the club in 1981! But the Republic of Ireland international made a century of league appearances for the Seagulls, and skippered them in the 1983 FA Cup final, before departing for West Bromwich Albion in 1984 Photo: Hulton Archive/Getty Images
10. Forward: Peter Ward
ChatGPT says: Widely considered as Brighton's greatest ever player, Ward scored 77 goals in just 144 games for the club between 1976-1980. SussexWorld says: Deadly in front of goal during his five years in East Sussex. Plundered 79 league goals in 178 league games before his move to Nottingham Forest in 1980. Netted 36 goals during the 1976/77 campaign, winning the golden boot and breaking Albion's club record in the process. Helped the Seagulls to promotion to the old First Division in 1978/79. Returned to Brighton on loan from Forest in October 1982. The move lasted four months, during which he scored three times Photo: Duncan Raban/Allsport/Getty Images
11. Forward: Bobby Zamora
ChatGPT says: A prolific striker during his time at Brighton, Zamora scored 83 goals in 136 appearances for the club. SussexWorld says: One of the deadliest forwards in Brighton's history, Zamora did indeed score 83 times for the club in 136 appearances following his permanent move from Bristol Rovers in August 2000. Helped Albion to two successive title wins as they won promotion into the old First Division in 2001/02. Zamora moved to Tottenham for a £1.5m fee in July 2003. Returned to the Seagulls on a one-year deal in August 2015. He scored seven goals in 26 league appearances but was released at the end of the season Photo: Bryn Lennon/Getty Images
12. Forward: Gordon Smith
ChatGPT says: The scorer of the winning goal in Brighton's famous 1983 FA Cup semi-final victory over Manchester United, Smith was a key player for the club during the 1970s. SussexWorld says: Oh, ChatGPT, you've tried. Smith, who didn't join Albion until 1980, was indeed involved in a Brighton FA Cup tie with Manchester United in 1983 - but I'm sure Seagulls fans don't need reminding what happened in that clash. That infamous moment aside, the club's then-record signing made 109 league appearances for Albion, scoring 22 goals, before he made the switch to Manchester City in 1983 Photo: Allsport/Getty Images