Principal Component Analysis in Football for Transfer Evaluation

A Statistical Look at Player Transfers and Team Dynamics

Through the lens of Principal Component Analysis (PCA), this blog tries to uncover how player and team metrics from the 2015/2016 season reveal patterns of stylistic alignment and divergence in the transfers that happened in the summer that followed. From Memphis Depay’s attacking resurgence at Lyon to İlkay Gündoğan’s evolution under Guardiola at Manchester City, PCA offers a data-driven perspective on transfers that worked—and others that posed challenges. By identifying key dimensions like progressive passing and possession tendencies, this analysis demonstrates how mathematical simplicity can help illuminate football’s complex tactical landscape.

January 03, 2025

Analyzing Positional Contributions in Bayer Leverkusen’s Unbeaten Season with VAEP

Exploring How Leverkusen’s Positional Units Shaped their Success

Bayer Leverkusen’s unbeaten Bundesliga campaign during the 2023/2024 season was a masterclass in adaptability and resilience. Leveraging the VAEP framework, this analysis uncovers how midfield dominance, defenders’ dual roles, and attackers’ decisive moments shaped comfortable wins, narrow victories, and dramatic late equalizers. Leverkusen’s ability to adapt positional contributions to different match scenarios underscores the strategic brilliance behind their title-winning season.

January 03, 2025

Unlocking Defensive Mastery: Introducing the Expected Disruption (xD) Model in Football Analytics

Quantifying the unseen impact of defensive actions on the pitch

Discover how the Expected Disruption (xD) model revolutionizes football analytics by shining a light on the unsung heroes of the pitch-defenders. While attacking brilliance often dominates the narrative, xD introduces a cutting-edge framework to quantify the defensive actions that silently shape the game. By contextualizing tackles, interceptions, and pressures based on location and impact, xD captures the unseen artistry of disrupting danger and controlling chaos. Explore the unseen genius of defensive anticipation and its transformative potential in modern analytics.

December 12, 2024