Network Analysis of Football Transfers
Each year millions of dollars are exchanged between football clubs across the world on transferring players permanently or on loan. During the most recent transfer windows (which typically take place in the summer and winter months) the prices paid for players, and number of players transferred has rose astronomically and created a vast network between clubs. From the data it is clear that English teams dominate international transfers. Clubs such as Liverpool, Arsenal, and Manchester City lead lists in centrality measures for they are teams with large financial resources and academies producing youthful talent. They have the most edges coming in and out of their nodes making them crucial parts of the transfer network. Possibly surprisingly, the figures also show that lower tier teams are very busy in the transfer market and have many transfers in and out each window. This is due mainly to the reliance on players loaned from bigger clubs to gain promotion and success.
The facts show that English clubs are notorious for having transfer activity greater than other leagues across Europe and the rest of the world. The football culture in England seems to have pushed the domestic clubs to try and perfect their teams and have very patience for failures. Constantly changing players to, in theory, “better” the squad may have negative effects due to the pressure put on transfers. In recent years English sides have not flourished in European cup competition which could be used as evidence to show that the immense number of transfers is not getting them to the top. The absence of all other leagues from the tops of the centrality lists may be a good thing and allow the teams to develop their players more in a lower pressure atmosphere. Personally, I think the game would be better off with a less active transfer network and more reliance on development of young players from youth academies.
Link to essay: http://www.academia.edu/2046327/Football_Transfers_looked_from_a_social_network_analysis_perspective