Thomas Driesen has been revealed as the network scout for Charlton owner Roland Duchatelet.

Driesen has recruited players for three of Duchatelet’s five clubs; Charlton, Ujpest and Sint-Truiden.

The article on the young scout appeared in Belgian outlet Sport Magazine, and in a translated copy sent to News Shopper, we can reveal the details of his work in SE7.

Driesen started scouting for Charlton when Duchatelet bought the club in January 2014.

He bases his recruitment of players on statistics and video analysis, something which annoyed successive managers and long-serving chief scout Phil Chapple, who eventually left to go to Fulham.

News Shopper:

Thomas Driesen

After Duchatelet’s first transfer window at the club, established first-teamers such as Yann Kermorgant and Dale Stephens were sold, and replaced with players from the Belgian tycoon’s network clubs.

Loic Nego was signed on a three-and-a-half-year deal from Ujpest and played just once for the Addicks, while Anil Koc was brought in on-loan from Standard Liege and failed to feature.

Sport claims Driesen’s computer-based stats show a preference towards futsal players, rather than footballers.

It also says that in the early days of Duchatelet’s reign at Standard Liege, Driesen used his algorithm to explain why his “idol” Mario Balotelli had never missed a penalty.

Back in March, former Charlton head coach Guy Luzon told News Shopper Driesen always had the final say on transfers.

News Shopper:

Guy Luzon

He said: “I was not the one who chose how to do the recruitment – the last say was from the network scout, not from me.

“The transfers were done through the scout in Belgium and he was the person who had the last say about players at Charlton.

“I would give him my opinion on a certain player but the last say was from the network scout.”

Russell Slade was given the “manager” title as opposed to “head coach” for the first time under Duchatelet's regime.

A new chief scout, Steve Head, was appointed in May and all of the Addicks’ signings over the summer have English football league experience.

Subsequently, Driesen now has less influence when it comes to targeting and scouting players for Charlton.

But, News Shopper understands he is still part of Duchatelet's network.