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The Transfer Flow Podcast
Episode 1: An Interview with Ravi Ramineni. Plus Man United's Football Shambles
In this conversation, Ted Knutson interviews Ravi Ramineni, a former VP of analytics and research at the Seattle Sounders. Ravi shares his journey from being a fan of Spanish football to working in the futbol/soccer and analytics space. He discusses his transition from a software engineer to a football analytics professional and his experience working with the Sounders. Ravi also talks about the challenges of working in a multiclub group and his decision to start a football consulting company. He emphasizes the importance of personal fit and finding a role that aligns with one's goals and values. The conversation covers various topics, including having access to coaching staff, and the weird things that happen at clubs, including Ravi's experience translating for a player during a visa issue
The back half of the episode switches into current football topics,like the challenges faced by Manchester United, the impact of financial regulations like the Premier League's PSR and UEFA's FFP, and the decision-making process for young players like Benjamin Sesko on whether to make a pressure-filled leap to the Premier League. We also discuss the changing role of the football front office and the need for sophisticated financial modeling and risk management in the era of salary caps..
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Episode 5 - LCBs, Data Scouting Kids, plus the USMNT Problem
57:39In this episode, Ted Knutson and Ravi Ramineni discuss the importance of left-footed center backs in football/soccer. They explore the reasons why teams prioritize left-footed center backs, such as the ability to play across the body and open up the field. They also discuss the trade-offs teams have to make when choosing between an aerially dominant center back or one who is good on the ball. The conversation touches on specific left-footed center backs in the transfer market, including Ricardo Calafiori, Jarrad Branthwaite, and Max Kilman. The conversation also covers the struggles of CONCACAF teams in the Copa America. They also touch on the performance of the United States national team and the talent level of American players. The conversation concludes with a discussion about Chelsea's signing of young player Aaron Anselmino and the difficulties of evaluating young talents.Episode 4 - Kobbie Mainoo + England. Ugarte, Gordon, Nico Williams + More
49:17Ted and Patrick Van Straaten discuss their backgrounds in professional gambling and football media, as well as their experiences in the world of football analytics. They touch on topics such as the early days of using data in football, the importance of age curves in player development, and the challenges of making predictions in public. They also discuss the performances of young players like Kobbie Mainoo and the potential transfer of manuel Ugarte to Manchester United. In this conversation, Patrick and Ted discuss various transfer rumors and player evaluations. They touch on topics such as the potential transfer of Joshua Kimmich, the rebuilding project at Manchester United, the rise of Nico Williams at Athletic Bilbao, the future of Anthony Gordon at Liverpool, and the interest in Calafiore from Arsenal.2. Episode 2 - Nikos Overheul
56:08Ted Knutson and Nikos Overheul discuss their experiences in the football industry, including their time at Brentford and Vancouver Whitecaps. They highlight the challenges of building and running a club, the importance of clear objectives and strategies, and the common pitfalls in the industry. They emphasize the need for effective communication, realistic expectations, and a well-thought-out hiring process. The conversation covers various topics related to working in football, including the emotional connection to the game, the challenges of hiring coaches, evaluating players, and the current state of the Dutch national team. The hosts discuss the importance of having a clear style of play and aligning recruitment with the team's goals. They also highlight the flaws in the hiring process and the difficulty of projecting player performance. The conversation ends with a story about a team requesting increasingly positive reports on players they were planning to sign.