Managers of Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur have both called for the transfer window to either be got rid of completely, or moved so it does not cross over with the Premier League season. What does the future hold?
So as August draws to a close, football clubs all over the continent will be considering if the business which they have so far concluded has adequately met the needs of both the manager and the fans.
Chelsea have brought in an exciting array of talent, and have gone about their business with a methodology which has set out the clubs intentions from the day they won the race for Eden Hazard.
Contrast this to Manchester City’s failings and the fact they seem to have a shopping list with the great and good of overpaid poseurs on it, but have been underwhelming in bringing in any big names which will not only help them defend their status as premier league champions, but give them that extra impetus to at least get out of the group stages of the Champions League.
There is still time though, and Roberto Mancini will be camped in Brian Marwood’s office ensuring that the agents of his targets have been bombarded with six figure weekly wage offers.
Why though do we have to put ourselves through this twice yearly sham? No doubt the media loves it, and makes much more out of it than there actually is, fanning the flames of rumour to the point where players and clubs do not know what is real and what is fabrication.
The panic spending which will happen on the last day of the year pushes the prices of players to unrealistic heights, and enables players and agents to push their weekly wage up to astronomic levels. It is not the players fault.
Who wouldn’t use this system to their best needs. However, in this era where financial fair play is looming large upon us, a fresh look at the transfer system is called for, where clubs can assess their needs in the real time, not hoard players just in case something unexpected happens in between windows.
There is no benefit either to clubs or players if a player is not playing at one team, and another team is crying out for the services of someone of his ilk. Why should both club and player suffer and have to wait maybe another three months until the next window opens?
This system will also affect clubs with less money as they have to wait to sell an asset during the window. Regular income from player sales will help ease financial burden on lower league sides. If an approach to one of their players is made in September or February, then let them move if it suits all parties.
The current system suits no one, and as Martin Jol quite rightly points out, why have a transfer window when the season has started. At least, if one is needed have it during the off season.
Transfer activity is the lifeblood of the smaller clubs, and the biggest expenditure of the majority. Cramming it into two periods does not make business sense, and it does not make sporting sense.
Will financial fair play finally put an end to this mad scramble and bring a semblance of reality to an over inflated market? Possibly, but for it to be even considered, financial fair play has to first work, and with the way some clubs continue to spend, any semblance of financial fair play looks a long way off.
Do you agree? Should the transfer window be moved or removed entirely?
image: © manc72
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