Statistics, mathematics and innovative scouting - the Moneyball principle, which originated in baseball, has also found favour in football in recent years. The initiator of the movement is 37-year-old Rasmus Ankersen, who first established the newfangled concept at the Danish club FC Midtjylland and later at FC Brentford.

With the help of the method, clubs try to gain a sporting advantage despite limited financial possibilities. Based on statistics and data analysis, players who might fall through the cracks at larger teams are signed for relatively little money. For example, a striker's completion rate, shooting positions or running routes can indicate his qualities.

The fact that players are evaluated on the basis of statistics and analyses is by no means new. In the Moneyball method, however, any emotional component is omitted and decisions are made on a purely scientific basis. For years, Brentford have impressively demonstrated how these very players are found and used.

Maupay, Watkins, Toney

The west Londoners have been playing in England's second division since 2014, finishing fifth in their first year and making the play-offs. However, promotion to the English top flight has not yet happened. It is a logical consequence that the club is losing its key players to the Premier League teams with greater purchasing power.

Especially at the striker position, Brentford has been pulling one bull's eye out of the hat after the other for years. In 2018 and 2019, Neal Maupay (24) was the Bees' top goalscorer before being sold to Brighton & Hove Albion for a profit of €20 million. A similar thing happened with his successor Ollie Watkins (25), who moved to Aston Villa for €34m last summer, three years after his transfer for €7m.

Ivan Toney from Peterborough United followed in his footsteps. The top scorer of the third division, who once fell through the cracks at Newcastle United, signed for almost six million euros. In 45 league games, the 25-year-old has since scored 31 goals and contributed ten assists.

A new goal record that has not escaped the attention of Premier League clubs. West Ham United and Leicester City have already put out feelers. According to the English media, Brentford are demanding a transfer fee of the equivalent of 40 million euros.

Promotion or new departures?

Brentford face sixth-placed AFC Bournemouth in the play-off semi-finals this Monday evening. At stake is a place in the final and a chance at Premier League football. The form curve is clearly in favour of Thomas Frank's team, as Brentford are now unbeaten in twelve games.

The Bees have already proved this season that they can compete with clubs from the top division. On their way to the semi-finals of the EFL Cup, they eliminated four higher-ranked clubs: Southampton FC, West Brom, Fulham FC and Newcastle. Only finalists Tottenham Hotspur (0:2) could stop Brentford FC.

If the club fails to gain promotion again, there is a threat of further departures. Players like Toney, right winger Bryan Mbeumo (21) or midfielder Josh Dasilva (22) could then join other clubs in the Premier League. But if in doubt, clever and cheap substitutes will probably be found. Thanks to Moneyball.