Soccernomics (2022 World Cup Edition): Why France and Germany Win, Why England Is Starting to and Why The Rest of the World Loses Paperback – 27 Oct. 2022

I read the original book the year after publication. Now, there is more data and errors are revealing even more about the great game. If you want to talk about football (soccer for Americans). You must read this or you will be wrong about almost everything!

Naturally, this text fills a specific niche. As an economics student, I can appreciate the analytical inference as well as the dedication to data analysis, but also of the freakonomics-esque application to an unconventional topic. As a fan of football, particularly of the premier league, I appreciated the break from the usual trite commentary that accompanies every major international competition (the chapter on England was particularly refreshing). However, besides some surface level Labour economics and game theory, this text doesn't incorporate economic analysis as much as statistics, so the title is somewhat misleading. Still, I enjoyed their slant on football an it certainly informed me on the hot issues of transfer markets and international dominance - an overall worthwhile read.

.. I guess a bit like the England team itself.The start of the book was very engrossing, especially for someone like myself who is not a soccer fan. It coupled fact-based presentation with insight and analysis using an economist's viewpoint. (e.g. why clubs cannot make a profit etc.).Unfortunately, they ran out of steam and in the second half the analysis disappeared completely and was replaced with simple presentation of facts and statistics.... I found myself paging on faster and faster and then didn't bother with the last few chapters.

I came because of the football ramble. I stayed cos I rather enjoyed it. I would find myself arguing with the book, changing my mind and all that all over again. It finds a great balance between the use of data and anecdote for a truly terrific read

Well-written & informative. It really does make you reconsider some long-held beliefs about the game👍

This is certainly an interesting approach to football writing. The authors have taken the increasing amount of statistics available on football and see what they can do with them. Some chapters are particularly interesting – I enjoyed the first few chapters on player analysis and how clubs are increasingly taking a Moneyball-style approach to judging their sides. Some chapters are a little less convincing – the attempt to rank national sides on achievement seemed a little more arbitrary to me. Still, for taking a minor, niche interest and making a mainstream book out of it, the authors should be commended.

Brilliant read but too England biased in places for me at times. Though i accept its points. It fails to acknowledge London based government so more funds are placed in that area rather than spread around. Though the section on the Olympics was interesting.

After hearing a lot about this book from various friends, I finally took the plunge and bought it- and what a purchase. This is a well written and thoroughly detailed book which has really changed my viewpoint on many aspects of football and has opened my eyes to the realities of the game. The section about the Chelsea/Man Utd penalty shootout is a particular highlight. Covers a lot of different topics in a strong and fluid manner. It's a great book, and you shouldn't miss out.