A Mathematical Model Using Ahp Priorities for Soccer Player Selection: A Case Study

The process of player selection in multi-player sports like soccer is a complex multi-criteria problem.In this paper, a two-phase approach is proposed for soccer player selection.In the first phase, the attributes of each player -based on their position within a soccer team -is prioritised using the Analytic Hierarchic Process (AHP).In the second phase, a 0-1 integer linear programming model is developed using the weights of player attributes, and the top performers are determined for inclusion in the team.Finally, a case study on the Turkish soccer club called Fenerbahçe is used to illustrate the applicability and performance of the proposed approach. OPSOMMINGDie proses van speler-seleksie in spansporte soos sokker is ʼn ingewikkelde, multikriteria probleem.ʼn Twee-fase benadering om die kies van spelers vir ʼn sokkerspan word voorgestel.In die eerste fase word die eienskappe van die speler prioritiseer deur ʼn analitiese hiërargie proses.Die prioritisering is gebaseer op hulle posisie in die span.In die tweede fase word ʼn binêre lineêre programmeringsmodel ontwikkel deur gewigte aan ʼn speler se eienskappe toe te ken.Toppresteerders word so identifiseer en in die span ingesluit.Laastens word ʼn gevallestudie op die Turkse klubspan Fenerbahçe gebruik om die toepaslikheid en vertoning van die voorgestelde benadering te bepaal. Aerial abilityA goalkeeper's ability to deal with the ball in aerial situations such as punching and catching.Aggression A player's attitude in terms of playing mentality.An aggressive player will look to be more involved in every incident and get stuck in. AgilityA player's ability to start, stop, and move in different directions at varying levels of speed.Anticipation A player's ability to have a sense of the unfolding events and predict what will happen and react to it. BalanceThis controls how long a player can stay on his/her feet under pressure. BraveryHow committed the player is.Braver players will risk injuries in situations that less brave players will shy away from. Command of areaHow well the goalkeeper takes charge of his/her penalty area and works with his/her defensive line.Communication How well a goalkeeper communicates with his/her defensive line and organises the defensive side of the team.Composure A player's steadiness of mind and ability, particularly with the ball.Concentration A player's concentration on an event-by-event basis.Corners Accuracy of a corner kick.Crossing A player's proficiency at crossing the ball from wide into the penalty box.Decisions A player's ability to make correct decisions most of the time.Determination Predictions a player's commitment to success.Dribbling A player's ability to dribble the ball. EccentricityThe likelihood that the goalkeeper will do the unexpected and act completely unlike a goalkeeper.Finishing A player's ability to put the ball in the back of the net when presented with a chance.First touch A player's ability to take control of the ball and put it into a useful position, no matter how much pressure there is from the opposite team.Flair A player's ability to do the unpredicted and use his/her creativity in an attacking outlet. HandlingHow securely the goalkeeper holds on to the ball when making a save or retrieving a loose ball.Heading A player's ability to head the ball in all aerial situations.Jumping How good a player is at reaching the ball in the air. KickingThe physical ability of a goalkeeper to kick the ball.This purely defines the distance that the player can reach.Leadership A player's ability to influence the team and affect events or players without any intentional effort. Long shotsThe player's prowess at shooting from a distance, such as from outside the penalty area. Long throwsA player's ability to take long throws.Marking A player's ability to mark the opposite player. Table 1 (continues): Definitions of each criterion [11]Natural fitness How good the player's fitness is, and how good it stays when not training or when injured. Off the ballHow well the player uses space when not in possession of the ball. One-on-onesThe ability of the goalkeeper to do well when faced with an opponent in a oneon-one situation.Pace A player's top speed.Passing A player's ability to pass the ball.Positioning A player's ability to read situations and position himself/herself in the best possible manner to deal with unfolding events.Reflexes How good the goalkeeper is at making instinctive reaction saves. Rushing outHow good the goalkeeper is at coming off his/her line to react to through balls and similar situations. StaminaHow well a player can endure high-level physical activity for a longer period of time.Strength A player's ability to exert his/her physical force on an opponent to his/her benefit. TacklingHow good the player will be at winning the ball cleanly without conceding fouls. TeamworkHow well a player follows tactical instructions and works for the team.Technique A player's aesthetic quality when passing the ball, shooting, or crossing; or how refined a player will be with the ball.Tendency to punch Whether a goalkeeper will catch the ball when he/she can, or punch it clear. ThrowingHow good the goalkeeper's distribution of the ball with his/her arms is. Work rateThe player's mental drive to work hard.