George Wells David continues to revolutionise the football industry through AI data analytics and technology, his innovative methods and exceptional skills promise to propel him to the top of the industry
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In the world of football, data analyst George Wells David is gaining recognition for his inventive involvement with clubs across national and international levels.
With over a decade of experience, George Wells David has collaborated with renowned clubs such as Benfica, Lechia Gdnask, AC Milan, Chelsea, Shaktar Donetsk, and Dynamo Kyiv, showcasing his expertise in first team and academy recruitment, talent scouting, and commercial negotiations.
George’s unique approach highlights the importance of data in football while acknowledging its frequent misuse. He explains, ”In football, there is no denying the importance of data, but its frequent misuse often creates a divide between scouts and data analysts. One critical issue is the failure to account for manager tactics, league levels, and player dynamics within teams, which can impact key statistics. With AI on the rise, it’s essential that data analysis in football becomes more intelligent to truly unlock its potential.
My journey into data analysis began 10 years ago after a conversation with a respected founder of a sports statistics company. I was intrigued by the wealth of data at his disposal and asked for his insights on ideal strikers for a top Champions League club based on various KPIs. The suggested 99% match was Jozy Altidore, a player who, while performing well in Toronto at that time, was not suitable for a Champions League level club. This revelation spurred my interest in developing refined algorithms.
By examining past data from player movement between leagues, such as the Dutch Eredivisie and the English Premier League, from Luis Suarez to Ricky van Wolfswinkel. I created algorithms that factored in risk levels associated with moving between leagues and progression potential year on year based on historical stats. These algorithms produced more accurate predictions and identified leagues that best facilitated player and club development.
Managers often seek players with high pass success rates, but relying solely on statistics from sources like Opta and StatsBomb may not provide a comprehensive view, as they don’t consider pass length. For a more accurate assessment, it’s essential to collect stats for passes over 10, 25, and 40 yards, which could uncover outstanding players who attempt riskier passes, such as Ruben Neves, whose exceptional long pass success rate is obscured by his overall rate of below 90%.
A crucial aspect of my scouting role for football clubs is analysing the club’s own squad using the same criteria as recruitment. Making informed decisions on when to sell or retain players and offer new contracts is vital for a club’s long-term success. Scouting should also account for age, as different statistics progress or regress at varying rates. For example, pace declines more rapidly than key passes, goalkeeper stats regress more slowly than outfield players’, and defensive midfielders often see key stats improve later in their careers. Predicting these progressions can help identify undervalued players.
The AI data algorithm continuously refines itself with each new data input. As a scout, I combine data analysis with subjective evaluations of football, scouting, and players’ on-field and off-field personalities to enhance my decision-making. While statistics can’t replace direct observation, they can undoubtedly support it. With clubs like Liverpool, Brentford, and the Red Bull group effectively using statistics in recruitment, more clubs are adopting data-driven approaches. However, it’s essential to apply data intelligently to gain a competitive edge in the market.”
George Wells David has developed several custom algorithms for the clubs he has consulted for to improve the accuracy of player assessments and movement predictions between leagues. His innovative methods weigh each KPI according to the league to provide the most precise predictions possible, precept age regression and prompts the club that a player has most probably reached his height of ability. This is when a club can use the information to make a sale as well as other things. As a result, major football clubs worldwide have taken notice and are currently in talks with George Wells David to integrate his expertise into their scouting processes.
George Wells David’s passion for technology is evident, and he has extended this forward-thinking approach not only to football but also to the fashion industry. He has played a significant role in advancing With Legacy, a fashion company that leverages technology to collaborate with musicians and sports personalities. In 2023, With Legacy even partnered with Nike, demonstrating George’s dedication to employing technology and data within the commercial sector as well.
Beyond the world of football, George has engaged in conversations with NFL teams about implementing more intelligent statistics. His determination to harness the power of data and technology positions him as a pioneer in the sports world.
Throughout his career, George Wells David has consistently broken barriers. As one of the youngest individuals in the UK to pass the UEFA B Coaching qualification and complete his Prozone license, he is well on his way to making a lasting impact in football.
With a decade of experience working at top clubs all over Europe, George has become a sought-after resource for clubs worldwide. The next steps in his career promise to be incredibly exciting for everyone involved in his journey.
As George Wells David continues to revolutionise the football industry through AI data analytics and technology, his innovative methods and exceptional skills promise to propel him to the top of the industry. The football community eagerly anticipates his future contributions to the game and the lasting impact he is sure to make.
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