Manchester City currently utilizes a database of 650,000 players to identify potential signings, narrowing this list to between 20 and 50 candidates based on their ability and fit within the team’s system. This analytical approach has been central to the club's recent squad overhaul, which has resulted in only four players remaining from the 2023 Treble-winning campaign.
Sporting director Hugo Viana noted that while data is integral to the club's decision-making, it remains only one part of the process. Viana emphasized that data cannot fully capture a player's character, mentality, or behavior, necessitating a balance between analytics and traditional scouting.
The club’s methodology includes specific categorization for positions, such as full-backs, who are divided into defensive, inverted, or high-and-wide roles. This forensic data analysis process recently led to the signing of Elliot Anderson for £116 million.