Performance Zone: How it works

Performance Zone: How it works

Who are the stand-out players in the UEFA Nations League and the European Qualifiers for UEFA EURO 2024? Using a specially devised algorithm, the Performance Zone reveals all.

What is it?

The Performance Zone is tracking players' international displays throughout the competitions. Data from the European Qualifiers and UEFA Nations League is fed into a specially designed algorithm to create rankings based on performances, with updates every matchday. We draw attention to Performance Zone Fast Risers live in our MatchCentres.

The Performance Zone merely charts the displays of players and does not suggest that one player is better than another.

How it works

Every player is assigned a primary on-field position, where they are expected to play the majority of the time. The categories are goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders and forwards.

The data considered for each player is specific to their position. For example, clean sheets, tackles and attempts blocked are considered key statistics for defensive players, while goals, assists, crosses and passes are important metrics for midfielders and forwards.

The algorithm uses player stats to deliver updates during games, with the rankings updating live as the fixtures unfold.

Points are awarded in every match a player takes part in and are added to their scores from previous games in the competition, meaning whoever has the most points across the whole season heads the rankings.

Weighting

No consideration is given to players' showings for their clubs in European or domestic competitions.

Performances in the UEFA Nations League finals are weighted higher than in the European Qualifiers.