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We’re all aware that statistics play an increasing role in football scouting these days, and it seems that is very much the case at Leeds United.

They’ve been pretty smart with their money since returning to the Premier League, spending big sums but often on players they know they can develop and potentially sell on at a later date.

That’s already been the case with Raphinha and could be the same down the line with the likes of Crysencio Summerville, Brenden Aaronson, Luis Sinisterra and Wilfried Gnonto. Even incoming January signing Georginio Rutter fits the profile of young talent to be developed.

Finding those players is no easy task but according to Algemeen Dagblad, they’ve been getting a helping hand from scouting tool SciSports.

They cover the platform today, sitting down for an interview with football manager Sebastiaan Pot to discuss how their tool works and the 75 clubs currently using it.

Leeds are one of them, according to Pot, who says it helps sides gain an advantage over those who aren’t in the know.

“We now work for 75 clubs. Among others, Union Berlin, Ajax, Feyenoord, Leeds United, Rapid Wien, Legia Warsaw, Red Star Belgrade, Club America in Mexico and Cerezo Osaka from Japan,” he told the newspaper.

“Charting everything, that’s basically the magic formula. Comparing players with each other. Find clubs that match footballers and vice versa. And those who do not keep up with that development will fall behind.

”We can compare players well with other players in the same league or in similar leagues. And even better: we can make a prediction of his possibilities in the future. We are really unique in that.

”With less budget, you can still make a difference, by using data correctly.”