Analysis

General

Across the data set, we can see a positive correlation between payroll rank and standings. Looking closely there are notable exceptions like Leicester City’s 15/16 EPL title.

Where it matters

In European soccer competition, the top four and bottom three standings are important. For the top leagues, a top four place secures Champions League qualification, the most prestigious club soccer tournament; a bottom three place means relegation (demotion to the second division).

Which teams are spending wisely?

To categorize how teams are performing relative to their the payroll rank, I took the difference of standing and payroll rank each year as a measurement. A positive difference means that a team over performed that specific year. The total column represents the sum of the difference in all the years the team appeared in the data set, and rate is the average difference.