Men In Blazers Digging Through Analytics To Spot Talent: Running The Game with Ian Graham
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May 23, 2025 Ian Graham, the Founder and CEO of Ludonautics and former Director of Research at Liverpool FC, discusses the analytics revolution in football. He reveals how data analytics reshaped talent scouting, particularly during his tenure at Liverpool, helping to spot undervalued players like Mo Salah. Graham shares insights on balancing quantitative analysis with player psychology and the complexities of transfer decisions. He also delves into evaluating aging stars' contracts and the evolution of analytics since Chelsea's early innovations, providing a captivating look at the game's behind-the-scenes.
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In-House Analytics Bunker Story
- Ian Graham created advanced algorithms in isolation to discover key football performance metrics.
- His models helped deliver Liverpool's eventual Premier League title by quantifying game states and player contributions.
Measuring Player Impact on Game State
- The model tracks game state changes to measure increases in goal-scoring probability.
- Players who move the team into better game states receive rewards linked directly to goal chances.
Combining Data with Football Insight
- Overcome football data skepticism by transparently explaining models and their limits.
- Use data as an 80% guide combined with expert eyeballs for informed decisions.