Morgan De Sanctis discusses the role of algorithms in football scouting

Former Salernitana and Palermo sporting director Morgan De Sanctis has detailed the role of algorithms and data analytics in modern football transfer markets. Speaking to Cronache di Spogliatoio, De Sanctis explained that while data is an essential tool, it does not replace traditional methods.

He emphasized a hierarchy where live scouting remains the priority. According to De Sanctis, data and video support allow clubs to compare physical and technical-tactical statistics against what is observed in person. This approach is particularly valuable for mid-sized clubs or those looking for young talent in peripheral leagues, such as those in Bulgaria or Hungary, where constant live monitoring would be cost-prohibitive.

By inputting specific physical and tactical parameters, clubs can use algorithms to filter through large amounts of information to identify a few potential profiles before sending scouts to watch them in person. However, De Sanctis noted that algorithms have limitations, such as difficulty in quantifying certain qualitative traits like a striker's instinct for converting chances.