How Manchester City rebuilt their squad using a 650,000-player database

Manchester City are making extensive use of data analysis to guide decisions on buying and selling players, aiming to boost their statistical chances of winning the Premier League. Last season the club's data correctly predicted Arsenal, not City, would be favourites for the title.

How the system works

City's analysts work from a database of 650,000 footballers worldwide. The process starts with defining what type of player is needed — full-backs, for instance, are split into three categories based on playing style. Filters grading overall ability then narrow the database down to a shortlist of 20-50 names, which is cross-checked against scouts' own list, typically showing significant overlap.

Further metrics are then applied to rank the list, and scouts carry out deeper research to cut it down to roughly six candidates. Each remaining player gets an "acquisition pack" report featuring radar charts of key metrics, usage history, a scouting grade, and scores projecting both immediate and future impact at the club. The list is then narrowed to two or three names once City's valuation of each player is factored in.

Case studies

Sporting director Hugo Viana stressed that data is only one part of the decision-making process, since it cannot fully capture a player's character or behaviour. This was illustrated by the £116m signing of Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest — his statistics initially did not stand out, but deeper analysis suggested his numbers would improve significantly in a possession-dominant City side.

Another example is Julian Alvarez, signed from River Plate for £14m in 2022 after being identified by scouts rather than data. City's model valued him between £26m and £40m at the time; three years later his value had risen to around £70m, and City eventually sold him to Atletico Madrid for £81m.

Only four players remain from City's 2023 Treble-winning squad, reflecting the growing role of data at the club — though traditional scouting is still considered the primary factor in transfer decisions.