Manchester City’s data operation revolves around the question, "What does it take to win?" The club breaks this down into identifying players, evaluating them, and assessing how to improve them to boost their Premier League chances. While City’s projections missed the mark last season when Arsenal emerged champions, they now keep their forecasts private. Five straight wins have fans and pundits believing City will again challenge for the title.

BBC Sport gained unprecedented access to City’s metrics, revealing how data-driven decisions guide recruitment and sales, aiming to reduce transaction risk. Players are graded on ability, overall characteristics, and fit within the team’s system. Since the 2023 treble, the squad has been overhauled; only four of those players remain.

Sporting director Hugo Viana notes that data complements, but does not replace, traditional scouting. City’s database of 650,000 footballers is filtered by position and ability, narrowing candidates to 20‑50 names before cross‑referencing with scout reports. This blend of analytics and on‑field expertise drives key transfer decisions, such as the £116m signing of Elliot Anderson.