Nothing captures the imagination of a football fan quite like the emergence of wonderkids, players surrounded by both high hopes and expectations, and significant uncertainty. Predicting the career trajectory of… Wonderkids: 2021 Outlook
Technically gifted and physically strong, Ryan Gravenberch is reaping the benefits of developing in the perfect environment, AFC Ajax, and being the client of one of the most powerful agents… Wonderkids: Ryan Gravenberch
Lassina Traoré is a 19-year-old striker from Burkina Faso who plays for AFC Ajax. While his imposing physique might lead some to consider him a target men, and his finishing… Wonderkids: Lassina Traoré
A left-footed attacking midfielder, Mohamed Ihattaren (18 years old, PSV) is probably one of the most technically gifted U19 players in our database. His dribbling and passing skills, combined with… Wonderkids: Mohamed Ihattaren
Inspired by the path taken by his compatriot Jadon Sancho, Noni Madueke left England for a foreign football academy at a young age. His destination was PSV Eindhoven, a decision… Wonderkids: Noni Madueke
Myron Boadu, soon to turn 20, is one of the best examples of a modern ‘poacher’, a forward with an extreme focus on scoring goals. A product of AZ Alkmaar’s… Wonderkids: Myron Boadu
From the origins of data analytics in football to FC Liverpool’s dominance, we explore how stats and algorithms are changing the Beautiful Game.
The quantity and quality of players that the AZ Academy is able to promote to the first team every year is outstanding. This is no coincidence, but is the result… AZ Alkmaar’s Talent Factory
As a case-study, AZ Alkmaar proves that logical thinking and a rationale vision could be a winning formula, also when applied to football. Further, it reminds us of the growing importance of data analytics in the Beautiful Game, a sport that many believed to be too difficult to be analysed. What FC Liverpool, AZ, FC Midtjylland and a few other teams are accomplishing with the help of data analysis should inspire many other football clubs, at all levels. Thirdly, player development could drastically improve with the right quantity and quality of information.
