At the Football Data International Forum held at the Wanda Metropolitano in January 2020, Sevilla FC’s sports director, Ramón Rodríguez Verdejo, known as Monchi, shared insights into his approach to integrating data into football management.
He outlined three essential areas for Sevilla’s data-focused strategy: Scouting, estimating player value, and injury prevention.
1. Scouting: Building Success from Data-Driven Decisions
Scouting remains at the core of Monchi’s strategy, relying heavily on data to identify promising players. “Not having an R&D department is obsolete,” Monchi emphasizes, highlighting how essential a robust data infrastructure has become for accurate player evaluation.
Scouting at Sevilla has evolved beyond traditional methods, with data serving as a foundational tool for decision-making.
Integrating data into scouting allows Monchi and his team to dig deeper into player performance, not only looking at raw stats but examining factors like positioning, injury history, and tactical compatibility.
This approach aligns well with big data trends in sports, proving valuable for teams looking to build competitive squads on limited budgets.
2. Pricing Players: Data as a Financial Compass
Estimating a player’s value accurately is critical for any club, especially one with a budget-conscious approach like Sevilla.
The use of data allows Monchi to measure more than just a player’s current market value—data analysis helps assess factors like potential growth and on-field consistency, supporting informed financial decisions.
This method allows Sevilla to negotiate with greater leverage and make wise investments that balance performance with financial return.
Monchi’s focus on data-driven pricing strategies could benefit other clubs, as it offers a systematic way to optimize transfer budgets and scout affordable talent.
3. Injury Prevention: Protecting Players and Finances
Injuries impact more than just the team’s performance; they have a considerable financial toll. According to Monchi, Sevilla FC’s first-team players missed 15% of games in one season due to injuries.
With a club budget of €200 million, these absences equated to €30 million lost—a stark reminder of the link between player health and financial viability.
By aiming to reduce the injury rate from 15% to 10%, Sevilla could save millions, underscoring the economic importance of proactive injury prevention.
Monchi’s strategy includes integrating data into fitness monitoring and working with medical staff to identify injury risks early.
By catching potential injuries before they happen, the club can maintain a more consistent lineup and reduce the economic strain of lost player time.
Investing in Continuous Learning
Monchi’s commitment to data isn’t just about having the right tools—it’s also about cultivating a culture of learning.
“It will force us to prepare and train ourselves to be up to date,” he stresses, recognizing that data integration is a continuous journey.
By staying informed about the latest data trends, Sevilla remains agile in a competitive landscape where real-time analysis is key.
Recommended Reads: Insights for Aspiring Football Analysts
For those interested in exploring the intersection of data and football further, we recommend:
- “The Signal and the Noise” by Nate Silver – A comprehensive look at how data can improve predictions across various fields, including sports.
- “Football and Mathematics” by David Sumpter – A valuable read for understanding how mathematical models apply to football, offering insights into the quantitative aspects of the sport.
Sevilla FC’s story is a powerful reminder of how data can transform not only the performance of individual players but also the financial health and competitive edge of the entire club.