Tuesday 31 January 2017 10:27, UK
Rob Mackenzie was part of the scouting team at Leicester City that brought the likes of Riyad Mahrez to the King Power Stadium, before moving to Tottenham and helping make the case for signing Toby Alderweireld.
Over a series of articles for Sky Sports, Mackenzie outlines the challenges facing the modern football scout and the insights that can help to overcome them.
Here, we bring together the full series in one place…
There are bargains to be had when buying from abroad but the global game brings difficulties too. Mackenzie explains how minimising the risks in recruitment can maximise the rewards… READ ON
When is a player about to get a lot better? What clues can we spot? Mackenzie talks us through the importance of recognising when a player is going to enjoy a significant spike in performance… READ ON
What are the clues that a player is finished? How do you pick up an experienced bargain? Mackenzie explains how to identify ageing players on their way out and those who still have plenty to offer… READ ON
Find out why Leicester were confident that Esteban Cambiasso could still do it.
Dealing with agents is a necessity in the modern game but it can cause problems if a club's recruitment department is not wise to the risks. Mackenzie explains the challenges and how some agencies are responding in the right way. READ ON
Analytics have added a new dimension to scouting in recent years. We examine power of data as a tool to identify transfer window targets and its limitations... READ ON
The January transfer window can be a busy time as clubs scramble to turn their season around. We take a look at the pitfalls of buying mid-season and those who have got it sussed... READ ON
Defenders are notoriously difficult to analyse from a statistical point of view, so what do scouts look for in such a player? Mackenzie discusses the challenges and picks out the qualities that made Toby Alderweireld stand out from the rest… READ ON
