Member Article

Business in football insight: Five transfer window controversies that won’t go away

Who doesn’t love the transfer window? It’s the epitome of all things Premier League, isn’t it? Star signings, secret deals, constant entertainment… What’s not to love? Well, quite a lot actually!

With football increasingly becoming much more of an entertainment industry, especially in England, the transfer window stands as a key pillar in the annual Premier League soap opera.

Now, that’s not to say it’s only the Premier League which puts on this showcase for us. Yet, it’s England’s top flight which stands as the vanguard of just how much football has changed in the modern era.

Whilst many enjoy seeing the glitz and glamour of Sky Sports (Hang fire BT, you’ll get your turn!), its pulsating round the clock updates and the marvel that is Jim White and his hallowed yellow tie - there are those who fail to enjoy the carnival.

In my opinion, the whole thing has become a bit of a charade. A bit too shameless. Like most of you, I’m a sucker for the modern day Premier League yet I can’t help but feel we, the viewer, the consumer, are being a bit taken advantage of. How? Through the same old, played out cliches that we’re continually succumbed to.

Every window nowadays is the same. The show is actually a repeat. The same things are happening, year in year out. If anything, it’s damaging the reputation and the integrity of the sport we love.

Allow me to elaborate:

1. Players handing in transfer requests

People say that nowadays fans have never been closer to the players they idolise due to social media acting as a bridge between the two. I’ve always found this point of view a bit odd. I mean it’s not as if Rio Ferdinand drops me a message to ask what I’m having for tea on a tuesday night! If anything, the modern game and the money it brings with it has constructed greater barriers between punter and player than ever before.

So when the likes of Saido Berahino or John Stones put in transfer requests it really does isolate supporters who feel betrayed for investing the time and money into the attachments they have with these individuals. Of course, football is a job and there’s nothing wrong with ambition although there is a right way and a wrong way to go about things. Too often it is the supporter who is wronged in the business of football.

2. English inflation

The examples of Saido and John (Don’t worry lads you aren’t the only ones - I only say this because I know you’ll be reading this) lead me on to another great sticking point - the mass inflation of the market for English players. English players are criminally overpriced. Theoretically, it make some sense. The market is saturated with foreign players and the decreased supply of top English players only sparks greater demand, especially for club’s like Manchester City who need to meet a quota of homegrown players when playing in Europe. Take that A level economics! However, the prices I’ve seen in this window have been ridiculous - so much so that the market just doesn’t make sense. Has it ever, you may rightly ask? When Manchester City are paying £49m for Raheem Sterling there is something very wrong with the world.

3. The window being open after the season kicks off

Moving away from the injustice of the above two points, one qualm that has gained a lot of traction this window is the nature of the transfer period itself. The window is open after the season starts. For me, this is a chief indicator that football has become more entertainment than sport. Premier League Chief Executive Richard Scudamore last month voiced his antipathy towards the culture of greed existing within England’s top flight.

However, allowing the window to be open after the season begins can be incredibly disruptive for clubs - just look at Everton and the Stones saga. If the window closed before the season started it would take away so much drama. And yes, I agree with what you’re thinking - that’s exactly why it’ll stay open. No matter how the potential damage it does to our football clubs.

4. Real Madrid tactics/ Heavyweight tactics

One thing I actually enjoyed this window was Madrid’s failure to land de Gea. Now that’s not me being spiteful (Honestly, I hate Man United) but I feel like karma can celebrate a victory with this one. Madrid are well known for doing their business late. A tactic employed to knock prices down. With Madrid seemingly getting their comeuppance on this one, I wonder whether they’ll alter their tactics for future?

5. Harry Redknapp!

Last but certainly not least - Harry Redknapp! Well, what I mean by this is the tedious nature of commentary coming from within the game during the window. It’s downright annoying. For one, Redknapp apparently doesn’t need to be managing or even hanging out of his car window to ruffle our feathers! On a day filled with drama and worry (I’m a Newcastle fan so believe me I know what I’m talking about) the last thing supporters want is for people to increase their fears. At one stage Redknapp tweeted that he confidently expected the Berahino transfer to go through, I’m sure Tony Pulis and Baggies fans appreciated that! Moreover, the son of West Ham co-owner David Sullivan revealing which players the club had signed before they announced them! Imagine if anyone working in the club had leaked this, they’d be sacked! The point I’m making here is that there in an abundant lack of respect and ultimately a poor etiquette in the way the whole process works.

So Premier League, congrtatulations on your new record - a total spend of £870m. But I’ve got to ask you, is the transfer window even about club’s signing players anymore?

Looking to promote your product/service to SME businesses in your region? Find out how Bdaily can help →