How Man City overhauled their squad from a 650,000-strong database

Image source, Getty Images By Sami Mokbel Senior football correspondent Inside the confines of Manchester City 's sophisticated data operation is a fundamental phrase its experts work towards: "What does it take to win?"

In practice, the motto is broken down into three sections: identifying players, evaluating them and assessing how the club could improve them, all with a view to enhancing the statistical probability of City winning the Premier League.

Last season, the club's data department projected they would be there or thereabouts when it came to the title race, but their metrics indicated Arsenal were favourites to be champions. They were accurate.