The Story
Pick the Player was born out of a casual conversation between my partner and a friendly waitress in a Glasgow pub. The topic? Which Premier League team has the most attractive squad.
As you can imagine, the debate quickly became biased by our personal allegiances. That’s when the idea struck: what if we let the internet vote, one comparison at a time, to reveal which players — and teams — are collectively seen as the most attractive?
It’s not scientific. It’s not serious. But it’s surprisingly fun — and maybe even a little insightful.
How Rankings Work (ELO Explained)
When you choose between two players, you're influencing their rankings using a system called ELO — the same method used to rank chess players.
- Each player starts with a default score.
- When Player A beats Player B, they gain points — how many depends on the difference in their scores.
- If a lower-rated player wins, they gain more points. If a higher-rated player wins, they gain fewer.
- A draw (or skip) results in minimal adjustments.
Over time, this creates a dynamic ranking system that reflects the collective preferences of everyone who plays.