Premier League club ‘axe majority of scouting team’ in shock transfer overhaul as rivals left ‘intrigued and surprised’
BRIGHTON have reportedly axed the majority of their scouting team in a huge overhaul.
The Seagulls have earned acclaim for their recruitment in recent years, finding obscure gems like Moises Caicedo, Alexis Mac Allister and Marc Cucurella and turning them into big-money players.
Brighton have shaken up their recruitment department[/caption]
Owner Tony Bloom is said to trust data over humans[/caption]
It has also seen Brighton become not just an established Premier League team, but one pushing for European qualification.
However it is understood Brighton have revamped their model and got rid of the majority of their scouts, according to The Telegraph.
Three full-time scouts have been axed with others redeployed as owner Tony Bloom switches focus to a secretive data-driven model, with the Brighton owner said to trust the numbers more than humans.
Brighton work with Jamestown Analytics, an offshoot of Starlizard – Bloom’s company which specialises in betting and sporting predictions.
Jamestown are believed to work with several Prem clubs but their agreement with Brighton grants the south coast club exclusivity with regard to certain data.
One source explained to Telegraph Sport: “Scouting is far more than just spotting good players.
“It’s looking at a player live in terms of his leadership, willingness to run when the team is losing, finding out what kind of personality he has and talking to people about him.
“Is he on time every day or late to training? Data cannot pick all of that up and it’s hugely important when investing in players.
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“It is also often the scouts who develop relationships and build networks that lead to recommendations and tips about various players that, again, data may not be able to provide. Ideally, clubs use data alongside scouting and both can complement one another.”
Brighton have reportedly retained one scout to carry out intelligence and background checks on players.
