Exploring Football Data Analysis and Player Roles: Insights from the Unlocked Football Podcast
In January 2023, I had the opportunity to be a guest on the Unlocked Football Podcast, hosted by professional footballer Zachary Ellis-Hayden. Our conversation went beyond the numbers, touching on the significance of data-driven decision making, changing player roles, and the evolving landscape of Canadian soccer. In this article, I’ll share the core insights from our discussion—highlighting how purpose, data, and player development intersect in modern football.
Purpose-Driven Football Analysis: Finding Meaning Beyond the Numbers
During the pandemic, I immersed myself in football, sometimes watching up to twenty matches weekly. While this sharpened my analytical eye, it made me reflect on the balance in my life and the true purpose behind constant match-watching. Since 2021, I’ve shifted focus, dividing my time among university teaching, targeted game analysis for site content, and consultations with professional and aspiring players, coaches, and agents.
These days, my approach is more intentional. I select games not just for entertainment but for the value they bring to my coaching, writing, and analysis for The Mastermind Site. Rather than covering every Bundesliga or Premier League game, I focus on teams and storylines that provide actionable insights, such as Borussia Dortmund’s tactics or standout performances in the Canadian Premier League.
Enjoying football as pure entertainment is a luxury; most of my viewing is to extract lessons that can be transformed into educational and practical content. It’s essential for me—and for anyone creating football content—to answer the fundamental question: “So what?” Every analysis must offer clear, practical value to readers, whether they’re coaches, players, or fans keen on understanding the game’s deeper layers.
From Team Analysis to Player-Centric Breakdown
A notable evolution in my work has been the shift from comprehensive team analyses to detailed examinations of individual player influence, often showcased in the “Game of Numbers” series. This change stems from the recognition that, while tactical team reviews are valuable, individual player analyses have a direct, tangible impact—especially when consulting and coaching.
By closely examining how a single player’s role shifts a team’s shape or tempo, I can provide specific recommendations tailored to help athletes and coaches unlock their next level. Whether it’s a creative midfielder driving transitions or a versatile full-back’s positional plays, understanding individual contributions has proven more beneficial for personal development than broad overviews of entire squads.
Data-Driven Decision Making in Football: Past Lessons and Modern Practices
One of the critical topics discussed on the podcast was the evolution of data in scouting and team-building. Drawing on stories from “Soccernomics,” we discussed how, historically, subjective factors—such as a player’s hair color making them more noticeable—could influence recruitment decisions. The advent of robust data analytics has all but eliminated such biases in top-level clubs.
Take Liverpool FC as a case study. As they anticipated Sadio Mané’s departure, they leveraged advanced data platforms to comb the global market for players matching Mané’s playing style and statistical output. Luis Diaz emerged as an ideal candidate—not just through numbers, but also vetted by extensive video analysis and live scouting to ensure compatibility with Liverpool’s high-pressing, possession-based philosophy.
The lesson here is crucial: Data is the starting point, not the final authority. Clubs still validate analytics with direct observation, integrating quantitative and qualitative insights to shape transfer and tactical decisions.
The Limitations and True Power of Football Data
Modern players, especially at the high school and developmental levels, often seek quantifiable metrics from their footage—expected assists (xA), expected goals (xG), and more. These figures can signal trends, but their true value emerges in context.
For instance, knowing your xG from a match is only meaningful if it prompts a discussion on why you chose a particular shot or pass, and what alternative decisions could have produced better results. It’s not just about the statistic itself, but about using data as a springboard for deeper learning and improvement.
Similarly, data varies within positional groups. Two inverted full-backs, such as Oleksandr Zinchenko and Kyle Walker, may share the same label but differ dramatically in their strengths: one excels in switching play with long passes, the other in rapid transitions and defensive recovery. Understanding these nuances ensures that development plans remain individualized, maximizing player growth.
Personalized Coaching: Blending Data with Human Insight
My coaching and consultation process combines data-driven evaluation with personalized video analysis and open conversations. Rather than relying solely on statistics, I strive to understand how each player’s choices on the pitch align with their strengths, and where making different decisions could elevate their performance.
This tailored approach ensures that both data and subjective insight inform every recommendation, leading to actionable strategies for individual advancement—whether for a future professional, a coach looking to boost a team, or an agent seeking detailed evaluations for talent promotion.
Conclusion: Football Analysis with a Purpose
Reflecting on my appearance on the Unlocked Football Podcast, the central takeaway remains clear: Football analysis should always serve a greater purpose—educating, helping, and inspiring all who love the game. Data can guide us, but it’s the human insight and actionable advice that truly drive growth on and off the pitch.
For those interested in player development, tactical learning, or improving their understanding of football analytics, adopting a purpose-driven and balanced approach is essential. The goal is not just to collect numbers, but to transform insights into meaningful change.
If you’re curious about deepening your knowledge or seeking one-on-one coaching, feel free to explore my mentorship programs. Together, we can unlock your football potential.
—
For more on football tactics, player roles, and data analytics, visit The Mastermind Site regularly for fresh articles, educational resources, and coaching opportunities.
