Brighton & Hove Albion Overhauls Scouting Team

Brighton & Hove Albion has made the surprising decision to let go of the majority of its full-time recruitment scouts as part of a restructuring aimed at enhancing its data-driven recruitment model, spearheaded by owner Tony Bloom. This overhaul follows the club's successful track record in player recruitment, where they have sold stars like Moisés Caicedo for substantial profits. The club is shifting its focus towards a secretive data model, which has raised concerns within the scouting community about the diminishing role of traditional scouting methods. Experts caution that while data analysis is invaluable, it cannot fully capture essential player attributes such as leadership and interpersonal skills. The restructuring could influence other clubs to adopt similar approaches, as Brighton has been a model of recruitment efficiency in modern football. Brighton has not commented on the restructuring, which has generated intrigue and alarm among football scouts.