The Athletic has launched a season-level player dashboard, enhancing football player profiling through data visualization. This tool aggregates performance metrics for players across the season, aiming to provide deeper insights beyond basic statistics. Key features include detailed player roles, styles, and comparative analyses against peers, allowing scouts and analysts to identify talent more effectively. Using data from Opta and SkillCorner, the dashboard focuses on practical applications such as touch locations and stylistic comparisons, ultimately aiming to streamline recruitment and scouting efforts.

By the Numbers
  • Analyzes nearly 3,000 players across Europe’s top five leagues.
  • Employs 40 metrics to categorize players into specific playing roles.
State of Play
  • Players' performance metrics are rated on a percentile scale of 0-99, categorized into five buckets.
  • The dashboard includes tailored graphics for a player's contributions, such as chances created.
What's Next

The dashboard is expected to evolve further with continuous analysis and addition of metrics, empowering scouts to make informed decisions as the 2025-26 season approaches. Enhanced player comparisons could shift recruitment strategies across clubs.

Bottom Line

The Athletic's new dashboard revolutionizes football analytics, providing essential insights for effective recruitment by highlighting players' unique styles and roles within a streamlined dashboard, shaping the future of scouting in football.