The most valuable commodity I know is Information

Gordon Gekko – Wall Street

The impactful remark delivered by the fictional character Gordon Gekko, portrayed by Michael Douglas in the 1987 cult film Wall Street, holds immense significance. In today’s data-centric era, where decision-making is heavily reliant on data, it becomes increasingly clear that the value of information hinges on the quality, quantity, and interpretation of the data at hand. In the realm of sports, particularly in football/soccer, data mining, data analytics, and data metrics play a pivotal role in comprehending the complex web of both objective and subjective information that propels the game’s development. Transitioning from team-level data analysis to player-level data analysis, the process becomes more intricate but also more enlightening due to the invaluable insights it uncovers in hindsight. The goalkeeper’s role has consistently been in the limelight owing to its significance and the specialized skills it demands, which can significantly impact team performance. Therefore, the utilization of data mining information should serve a greater purpose than just satisfying stakeholders if we aim to continue advancing the art of goalkeeping.

In a recent blog post I authored, titled The Golden Glove Award, I elaborated on the obsolete and highly deceptive criteria associated with this coveted trophy. It is evident that the winner of the Golden Glove cannot genuinely be considered the best goalkeeper, assuming that’s the award’s intended purpose, simply based on the highest number of clean sheets kept in a season. Data analytics can and does support this assertion. Given the wealth of data analytics now available in the world of football/soccer, one must question why top leagues worldwide still adhere to the clean sheet criteria for the Golden Glove Award. Is it possible that transforming goalkeeper analytics into precise and dependable performance metrics is a challenging endeavour? Or is it the situation that the governing bodies in the sport lack the desire to alter the existing state of affairs, following the “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” adage? Nonetheless, given the prevailing trend of data analytics in football, it would be unthinkable not to incorporate goalkeeping data metrics into the criteria for determining the prestigious award.

Someone might question, “What’s the significance of implementing reforms?.. Why make changes when the Award is similar to the Golden Boot awards?” The last inquiry might seem like comparing apples and oranges, but the fundamental answer lies in the fact that the goalkeeper position is a specialized and intricate field, understood fully by those dedicated to the institution of goalkeeping, whether in amateur or professional realms. Within the goalkeeping community, there has been extensive discussion across social media platforms such as Twitter-X, podcasts, and online forums, urging reforms in the antiquated selection process. However, a crucial aspect that requires attention is the underlying motivation for these changes and the expected outcomes. Opinions diverge, ranging from the readily available goalkeeper data metrics to the widespread belief that clean sheet achievements are a  reflection of collective defensive efforts, rather than a recognized measure of a goalkeepers individual skillset. While there are several valid reasons for instigating change, regardless of the motivating factor, the primary aim of implementing these reformed methods should be the comprehensive and forward-looking advancement of the goalkeeping discipline. These changes should primarily target the elevation of goalkeeping standards as a top priority. Only then can stakeholders from all facets of football/soccer genuinely recognize and appreciate the mastery of goalkeeping. Having reached a consensus on the necessary adjustments, the pertinent query arises: What tools, metrics, or methodologies are available to gauge and monitor the progress of goalkeeping in professional football/soccer? The evident response to this inquiry lies in the collection, analysis, assimilation, and integration of data metrics over a defined period, which narrates the ongoing narrative of the present state of goalkeeping. I’ve embarked on a quest to uncover and address this overlooked issue, hoping to shed light on it.

Data Metrics

The infographic above is sourced from the book Effective Data Storytelling by Brent Dykes, which I’m presently reading. In this book, Dykes adeptly highlights the significance of utilizing data storytelling in various aspects like presentations, problem-solving, recommendation proposals, innovative ideas, and information supplementation. When addressing challenges within an industry, the role of data and its interpretation becomes progressively vital in effectively conveying the intended message. The famous adage “Without data, you are just another person with an opinion” carries weight because its credibility hinges on the reliability and practicality of the data.

Utilizing the principles of data analytics and data storytelling within the context of goalkeeping, it’s crucial to emphasize that the information derived primarily serves to assist in the enhancement and advancement skillsets. I recently attended the 10-year anniversary celebration of the StatsBomb 2023 Conference at Wembley Stadium in London. Keynote speakers from various data tech companies emphasized the significance of data analytics and its interpretation in sports. StatsBomb also showcased their new data analytic systems on computers, allowing attendees to explore them. I was particularly impressed by the football/soccer interface, which demonstrated how goalkeeping data analytics were collected, interpreted, and presented with informative visuals.

During the conference, Sam Goldberg, the Data Science and Analytics Manager for the New York Red Bulls, made a remarkable statement. He pointed out that the field of baseball data science is significantly more advanced than that of football/soccer, with a two-decade gap in progress. This indicates a wealth of untapped data analytics and information that could potentially provide profound insights into hidden game theory anomalies, particularly in the realm of goalkeeping.

As AI and Machine Learning continue to gain prominence in the sports data science and analytics sector, there is an opportunity to extract abstract information that goes beyond measurable statistics. This includes aspects such as a goalkeeper’s mental well-being, personal belief systems, and levels of spiritual development. Proper utilization of these tools has the potential to reveal these abstract elements, which are often considered “hidden” information and are critical for in-depth data storytelling, troubleshooting, and problem-solving. In Effective Data Storytelling, Brent Dykes articulately explains the prevalent misunderstanding referred to as the information deficit model. This model suggests that an audience may not possess sufficient information to fully acknowledge or comprehend a given issue, which in turn clouds decision making. The key focus when sharing valuable information is to create a significant data insight and convey the context of one’s findings without any bias in an objective manner.

We find ourselves in an era where data extrapolation and its swift presentation risk obscuring the core purpose. In the realm of goalkeeping, we must inquire about the meaningful narrative embedded in goalkeeping data analytics. Stakeholders have vested interests, but we should also spotlight the narratives of the individuals driving data analytics. Although pundits and the goalkeeping community offer their insights on this matter, they often lack depth, as evidenced by the current selection process format of the Golden Glove Award in major pro leagues. Thus, it is clear that we should highlight the use of database analytics to unveil concealed, transformative insights in an exploratory and explanatory manner. The era of data science has revolutionized the way we uncover, analyze, and convey insightful information in a narrative style that has the power to motivate transformation, which is in accordance with natural progression.

Conclusion

In my upcoming blog post (Part 2), I will present a series of database graphs and infographics that illustrate the evolution of goalkeeping skillsets in the English Premier League (EPL) and other top leagues. These visuals will serve as a reference to explain the underlying issues with the criteria for the Golden Glove Award. It’s important to emphasize that the root of the problem runs deeper than what may initially meet the eye, and a thorough analysis is required to uncover these issues. A prime example of this can be seen in the case of David De Gea, who won the EPL 2022 Golden Glove Award but was subsequently released by Manchester United at the end of the season and remains a free agent in search of a new club. This situation, both to those within and outside of the sport, highlights a significant devaluation of the prestigious award for goalkeepers and significant stakeholders.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, the goalkeeping community may have an impression that the quality of goalkeeping is continuously improving. However, when you look at the criteria for the Golden Glove Award, it tells a different story. A significant concern also arises with the Yashin Trophy, which was established in 2019. In this case, a group of judges is given the authority to choose their preferred goalkeepers and assign them points. The goalkeeper with the highest number of points wins the trophy. This raises questions about the fairness and competence of the selection process for such a supposedly prestigious award. I’ll explore this topic further in a special edition blog post.

Now is the time to be conscious and aware that the current system for recognizing achievements in professional goalkeeping is undergoing significant changes, reflecting a more holistic standard for goalkeepers. The existing system is failing to fulfil its intended purpose and, in fact, could harm the future of the art of goalkeeping.

You Are The Ultimate Keeper Of Your Destiny

Ultimate Keeper