title: Talent identification and selection process of outfield players and goalkeepers in a professional soccer club.
abstract: Abstract The aim of this study was to analyse the talent identification process of a professional soccer club. A preselection of players (n = 64) aged 9-10 years and a final selection (n = 21) were performed by the technical staff through the observation during training sessions and matches. Also, 34 age-matched players of an open soccer camp (CampP) acted as controls. All participants underwent anthropometric, maturity and performance measurements. Preselected outfield players (OFs) were older and leaner than CampP (P < 0.05). Besides, they performed better in velocity, agility, endurance and jump tests (P < 0.05). A discriminant analysis showed that velocity and agility were the most important parameters. Finally, selected OFs were older and displayed better agility and endurance compared to the nonselected OFs (P < 0.05). Goalkeepers (GKs) were taller and heavier and had more body fat than OFs; also, they performed worse in the physical tests (P < 0.05). Finally, selected GKs were older and taller, had a higher predicted height and advanced maturity and performed better in the handgrip (dynamometry) and jump tests (P < 0.05). Thus, the technical staff selected OFs with a particular anthropometry and best performance, particularly agility and endurance, while GKs had a different profile. Moreover, chronological age had an important role in the whole selection process.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Physical Education and Sport, Faculty of Physical Activity and Sport , University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) , Vitoria-Gasteiz , Spain.
authors.forename: Susana María
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Gil
authors.forename: Jon
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zabala-Lili
authors.forename: Iraia
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Bidaurrazaga-Letona
authors.forename: Badiola
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Aduna
authors.forename: Jose Antonio
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Lekue
authors.forename: Jordan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Santos-Concejero
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Granados
keywords: RAE; agility; body size; physical test; power; strength; velocity