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Global Trends in Modern Football: Player Development & Pathways

2 Min Read

As highlighted by FIFA’s Youth Football Survey in 2016, investment, qualified technical staff & infrastructure/facilities ranked as the top three areas of importance for FIFA Member Associations (MAs) around the world.

In a High Performance environment, this is often translated into a Player Centred development model as highlighted in Figure 2, that captures the key non-negotiables required by the supporting departments. In turn, this is used to generate value in the players that can be realised through either player trading or time in the first team.

A typical player centered development model.

Key to success in this approach is creating clarity of purpose in how the organization wants to play the game and then creating an environment where players can thrive based on empowerment to learn tailored to each individual's needs.

Based on more than 6,000 customer interactions in the last 12 months with CEO’s, Sporting Directors, Heads of Recruitment, Head Coaches and Analysts plus the collective experience of our Hudl Pro Services team - we know that examples of organizations using this strategy at the core of their business model include Benfica, Ajax, Bayern Munich, FC Barcelona, City Football Group (Manchester City), Red Bull International (RB RB Leipzig) and many others across the global football pyramid.

To learn more about market-leading best practices for high performance workflows based on these key global trends and more, download our new eBook - High Performance Workflows.

A common challenge is how pathways can be created to maximize potential, and in a panel discussion with the Association of the Sporting Directors, our guest speakers focused on how clubs can implement virtuous pathways to maximize players’ development, making sure that all young talents are given the opportunity to reach their full potential at the club or in a different context:

WATCH: In this panel discussion with the Association of Sporting Directors,our guest speakers focused on how clubs can implement virtuous pathways to maximize players’ development, making sure that all young talents are given the opportunity to reach their full potential at the club or in a different context. Features Victor Orta of Leeds United, Ross Wilson of Rangers FC, Adam Braz formerly of CF Montreal, and Brian Marwood of City Football Services.


Further case Studies on player development:

WATCH: High Performance Insights with Pedro Marques: S.L. Benfica

In this series of webi­na­rs, host­ed by lead­ing indus­try speak­ers and inter­nal Hudl per­for­mance con­sul­tants, will give you insights into the world of video analy­sis and recruit­ment, and also edu­cate you on the pow­er of Hudl Sportscode and Wyscout. 

In this episode, featuring Pedro Marques - Technical Director at SL Benfica - learn how one of the world's most successful youth academies applies a methodology to develop rounded people who can play at the highest level.

How Bayer Leverkusen are Developing World Class Talent Through Technology

Bayer 04 Leverkusen has a strong record of producing top talent with Kai Havertz and Florian Wirtz being amongst the most recent success stories. In this article, learn about how technology fits into the club’s approach to talent development.

Sydney FC: Video Vital to the Blueprint of Academy Success

The academy of Sydney FC continues to produce talent that's helped the side to a joint-record three A-League championships over its history. Learn how video analysis is vital to the process of sourcing and developing Sydney's future stars.

Interested in learning more about global trends and high performance workflows in analysis and scouting in modern football? Register to our High Performance Workflows webinar series!

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