Brian Broussard

Dr. Krupar

SPEX 660: Data-Driven Decision Making

10/27/19

Develop Your Report

 Introduction

This report analyzes the roster of Burnley F.C. within the FIFA 2017 player dataset, which

contains over 50 metrics on each player, to identify positions in the team’s starting lineup that

could potentially be improved by signing a player from another club. This analysis is important

as Burnley has been promoted into the highest division of soccer in England, the Premier

League, after winning the championship of the lower English Football League. As a result, they

will face significantly stronger competition. Along with tougher opponents, the EPL will also bring

increased revenue into the organization (Conn, 2018). Although signing better players is

expected to increase the club’s payroll costs, the increase in revenue due to league-wide

revenue sharing is expected to offset any increase in costs.

 Problem Statement/Practical Theory

After initially viewing Burnley’s roster in the FIFA dataset, the following problem statement

and practical theory was developed:

o The level of talent required of Burnley to achieve promotion from the English Football

League (EFL) to the Premier League (EPL) is unlikely to be sufficient to avoid

relegation from the EPL the next season.

  Metrics Plan

The practical theory will be tested by assessing the relative talent on Burnley’s roster

against those of the five clubs most likely to be competing with Burnley to remain in the EPL by

finishing in 17th position or higher. This includes:

o The other two clubs who were promoted from the EFL to the EPL; and

o The three lowest clubs in the prior year’s EPL standings who avoided relegation

For each position group in the starting lineup, a metrics table will be created to compare the

talent level as measured by each club’s average player rating for each skill identified as critical

for that position. Here is a basic example of what a metric table might look like.

These metrics tables will provide the basis for assessing whether there was a talent disparity.

With those tables, we may identify individual position groups where the club should target

improvement.

In order to identify potential replacement players for Burnley at each position, further

analysis will take place across two dimensions:

o Talent Improvement

o Cost Management – For the purposes of this assignment, the cost to sign a

player will be assumed to be relative to the players overall rating. The assumed

value of each marginal point for the overall rating will be 1,000,000 euros.

This analysis has two main goals:

o Identify positions on Burnley’s roster where their talent level is below the level of

the teams against whom they will be competing to avoid relegation; and

o Identify players with a similar overall rating (and therefore similar cost) but with

improved position-specific skill ratings.

  Analysis

The in-depth analysis of Burnley’s starting roster within the FIFA 17 player dataset is

attached at the end of this report as appendices.

 Recommendations

o Release Striker (ST) Ashley Barnes; Sign ST Wissam Ben Yedder

o Release Right Midfielder (RM) George Boyd; Sign RM Moussa Sissoko

o Release Left Midfielder (LM) Steven Defour; Sign LM Jimmy Durmaz

o Release Left Back (LB) Stephen Ward; Sign LB Jesús Gámez

 Conclusion

There are a few strengths in these recommendations. They project to improve the team’s

positional talent, and how the individual player fits into each position in the starting lineup, with

minimal increase in costs. By executing these recommendations, Burnley’s starting roster would

be able to play better as a team in their roles. With the starting roster playing better as a team,

the club will be well positioned to be competitive in and avoid relegation from the English

Premier League.

With these recommendations, a weakness would be that the club’s payroll costs are projected

to increase, albeit marginally, by 2.2%. In addition, one could argue that the FIFA 17 player

dataset is unreliable, because it might not be as accurate as real-life data.

Burnley’s organizational structure and capabilities should not have an impact on these strengths

and weaknesses. Considering that EA has a global team of over 6,400 employees and

volunteers dedicated to maintaining a database that is an accurate reflection of the players’

actual skill levels (Murphy, 2019), it is a reasonable assumption that the dataset could be

analyzed to make recommendations based on player personnel in real-life. With increased EPL
revenue sharing, Burnley should be able to handle a projected 2.2% increase in roster costs

(Conn, 2018).

References

Conn, D. (2018, June 7). Championship clubs feel the strain as financial gap to Premier League

grows. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/jun/07/championship-

financial-gap-premier-league-annual-accounts.

Murphy, R. (2019, September 12). FIFA player ratings explained: How are the card number &

stats decided? Retrieved from https://www.goal.com/en/news/fifa-player-ratings-explained-

how-are-the-card-number-stats/1hszd2fgr7wgf1n2b2yjdpgynu
Appendix 1: Initial Starting Lineup Comparison by Position
Appendix 2: Before and After Effect of Recommendations

Recommendation 1:

Recommendation 2:

Recommendation 3:

Recommendation 4:
Recommendation 4:
Appendix 3.1: Identifying Potential Replacements for ST

Appendix 3.2: Identifying Potential Replacements for RM

Appendix 3.3: Identifying Potential Replacements for LM

Appendix 3.4: Identifying Potential Replacements for LB

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