Who was the most effective striker in 2016? Which defender should have gone to the showers early? Which team were a cut above the rest? Who deserved to be relegated?

The football annual reinvented for the 21st Century – a myth-busting, entertaining guide full of cutting-edge analysis.

This is the only football annual you'll need to read this year...

By analyzing state-of-the-art data collected during the 2016 season across all of the world's major leagues and tournaments - including Euro 2016, the English Premier League, La Liga, the MLS, the Bundesliga, Ligue 1 and Serie A - Opta Joe answers these questions, and many, many more.

From blocked shots to tackles, yellow cards to substitution tactics, distances run by players to passing success, shots scored to shots off target, Opta Joe brings the stats to life with his trademark blend of incisive analysis and wit. In the process, he paints a revealing, counter-intuitive portrait of the season, debunking many of the long-held beliefs and myths held by pundits, managers and even players.

This book will change the way you watch, play and think about football, forever.