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THREAD - just had a fascinating discussion with an executive at data analytics company who works with many top level European clubs. We discussed new data trends that could emerge, using data to identify transfers / managers, quotes on Ødegaard, Sancho, Pogba, & Achraf (1/14)
Loved this quote in regards to counseling clubs on which transfer targets to pursue:
"Half the damn job is convincing clubs not to do stuff. No, it's not a good idea to sign an ageing Alexis Sanchez" (2/14)
"Half the damn job is convincing clubs not to do stuff. No, it's not a good idea to sign an ageing Alexis Sanchez" (2/14)
In terms of new trends with data analytics & what's important to evaluate, he stressed how critical it is to have quality data. If you do not have quality data, you can't develop good conclusions. Teams are paying large sums of money for quality data. Clubs like Liverpool (3/14)
make decisions using data as a major influence - probably a 70% or greater factor. He recommends never basing a decision 100% off data, but smaller clubs who have yet to adopt the changing dynamics are falling behind. Barcelona probably have the biggest data analytics team (4/14)
in the sport, yet don't rely on them enough to make astute data-backed decisions. The individual I spoke with is skeptical that they would have signed 28yr Greizmann if they factored in data + system. He stressed the importance of having a system of play for which you base (5/14)
the type of player or manger you look for and use the data to identify that player. If you don't have a core system, then you can make a lot of expensive mistakes.
They look at other sports like baseball and hockey to learn what metrics can be applied to football. (6/14)
They look at other sports like baseball and hockey to learn what metrics can be applied to football. (6/14)
We then got to talking about specific players.
On Ø, I asked if he was ready for Real Madrid:
"Rockstar, 100% ready, he can play for Real Madrid"
(7/14)
On Ø, I asked if he was ready for Real Madrid:
"Rockstar, 100% ready, he can play for Real Madrid"
(7/14)
Achraf:
"I can't wait to see him return to Real Madrid. His speed is something they have lacked in that position since Carvajal's prime."
He feels strongly that Germany and Italy are the most competitive leagues. From a tactical perspective, he finds Dortmund and Atlanta (8/14)
"I can't wait to see him return to Real Madrid. His speed is something they have lacked in that position since Carvajal's prime."
He feels strongly that Germany and Italy are the most competitive leagues. From a tactical perspective, he finds Dortmund and Atlanta (8/14)
as the two teams he most enjoys watching.
On Mbappe:
"Mbappe has been the best player in the world for 2 years."
In terms of next-gen players, just a tier below Mbappe - he pointed to Sancho and Kai Havertz. Loved how tactically flexible Havertz is & how valuable that (9/14)
On Mbappe:
"Mbappe has been the best player in the world for 2 years."
In terms of next-gen players, just a tier below Mbappe - he pointed to Sancho and Kai Havertz. Loved how tactically flexible Havertz is & how valuable that (9/14)
is to a team, especially at the highest level.
On Pogba:
"Top 5 midfielder in a world - definitely not a DM, even though managers try to play him there". (10/14)
On Pogba:
"Top 5 midfielder in a world - definitely not a DM, even though managers try to play him there". (10/14)
On Haaland - he would wait for a larger sample size before taking an expensive risk. It was between Dortmund & Juve for his signature.
On Jovic - thinks he's a talented player, but not sure if Madrid is the right fit. Could be worthwhile to loan him. (11/14)
On Jovic - thinks he's a talented player, but not sure if Madrid is the right fit. Could be worthwhile to loan him. (11/14)
I asked when clubs are making roster decisions for the following season on guys like Ødegaard, Achraf, etc. He said most sporting directors are planning for the next season and the season after that - 2 years max. Otherwise, it's impossible to know the sporting landscape. (12/14)
They have to factor in contract length, wages, FFP, age, etc. They look from the first team, to loanees, to reserve teams, all the way down to the U18 side when evaluating rosters. (13/14)
And lastly, I asked about his opinion on Madrid's youth transfer strategy and he emphasized that he was a HUGE fan. Feels Vinicius and Rodrygo have massive upside and truly do have Neymar-like potential. What Madrid paid for what they could get was well worth it (14/14)
