Talent identification and selection process of outfield players and goalkeepers in a professional soccer club

Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyse the talent identification process of a professional soccer club. A preselection of players (n = 64) aged 9-10 years and a final selection (n = 21) were performed by the technical staff through the observation during training sessions and matches. Also, 34 age-matched players of an open soccer camp (CampP) acted as controls. All participants underwent anthropometric, maturity and performance measurements. Preselected outfield players (OFs) were older and leaner than CampP (P < 0.05). Besides, they performed better in velocity, agility, endurance and jump tests (P < 0.05). A discriminant analysis showed that velocity and agility were the most important parameters. Finally, selected OFs were older and displayed better agility and endurance compared to the nonselected OFs (P < 0.05). Goalkeepers (GKs) were taller and heavier and had more body fat than OFs; also, they performed worse in the physical tests (P < 0.05). Finally, selected GKs were older and taller, had a higher predicted height and advanced maturity and performed better in the handgrip (dynamometry) and jump tests (P < 0.05). Thus, the technical staff selected OFs with a particular anthropometry and best performance, particularly agility and endurance, while GKs had a different profile. Moreover, chronological age had an important role in the whole selection process.

Talent identification and recruitment in youth soccer: Recruiter’s perceptions of the key attributes for player recruitment

“…With respect to anthropometric and physical performance measurements, researchers indicate skilled youth soccer players are heavier, taller and faster than matched less-skilled players [9, 14–15]. Furthermore, researchers have identified relative age effects at elite youth competitions [16–17], with players born in the first quarter of the year more likely to be perceived as more talented due to their physical advantage compared to players born later in the selection year due [18].…”

Do physical qualities influence the attainment of professional status within elite 16–19 year old rugby league players?

“…Although these are the aims of TID research, most studies to date are limited as they only compare differing performance levels at one-off time points, usually within junior levels, using cross-sectional research designs (e.g., 3,4 ). Such studies assume that current performance capabilities and discrepancies between performance levels in junior populations can therefore help predict potential success in adulthood.…”

Assessment of skeletal age on the basis of DXA-derived hand scans in elite youth soccer

“…Variations in performance like speed and endurance are highly dependent on biological age especially during the transition into and during male adolescence (Malina et al, 2004;. Therefore, elite youth athletes in several sports tend to be advanced in biological maturity during late childhood and adolescence for female and male athletes (Gil et al, 2014;Idrizovic, 2014;Ostojic et al, 2014;Vaeyens, Lenoir, Williams, & Philippaerts, 2008). Specifically, data in soccer suggests that a disproportionately large amount of late maturing players is excluded and average and early maturing players are favoured.…”