How Man City overhauled their squad from a 650,000-strong database

Manchester City rely heavily on a data system built from a 650,000-player database to guide recruitment, evaluate talent, and project title chances, though scouts remain the primary decision-makers. Last season the club's own metrics correctly predicted Arsenal, not City, would be Premier League favourites, and City are again being tipped as closest challengers after five wins from five games this season. Since the 2023 Treble, City have overhauled their squad using this data-driven approach, with only four players from that title-winning team still at the club. Sporting director Hugo Viana says data informs but does not replace scouting, since it cannot capture a player's character, mentality or behaviour.