Rice and the hunger games
Using data in recruitment is a practice long established in football but simply more discussed and sophisticated nowadays. Doing due diligence on a target’s character is even more vital. For some technical directors it involves calling contacts in the game, even journalists, to find out more about the player, their lifestyle and family situation, and asking the perennial question about wealthy players “are they still hungry?” The very best sporting directors, and Manchester United have one now in situ in Dan Ashworth, use metrics to establish hunger, such as the intensity of a player’s running at 2-0 down, a man down, with five minutes remaining compared to 2-0 up.
It's why Declan Rice went for £100m because his data showed his utter commitment to the cause. His data continues to show that at Arsenal as against Paris Saint-Germain at the Emirates last night, taking responsibility constantly, tackling back, helping out his defence, driving forward with the ball. Rice is so hungry to learn that he listens intently to Mikel Arteta and is an even better player now than when joining from West Ham. Put Rice in Manchester United’s underperforming midfield and the others would spring more to life. Rice would demand it.