Former Everton midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger has criticised the level of scrutiny placed on transfer windows, arguing the focus should instead be on results on the pitch. The 44-year-old, who finished his playing career at Goodison Park under David Moyes in 2012/13, said he is "gobsmacked" by how much clubs are now expected to explain themselves over their transfer business.
Chaotic Deadline Day at Everton
In the final week of the window, Everton owners The Friedkin Group allowed Nottingham Forest to pursue a £40million move for Harrison Armstrong before supporters' threats to riot prompted a dramatic U-turn. Despite raising over £100million on deadline day through the sales of Iliman Ndiaye, Beto, Tim Iroegbunam and Nathan Patterson, the late collapse of a deal to sign USA World Cup star Folarin Balogun from Monaco left Everton with a first-team squad of 18 outfield players.
Despite that adversity, manager David Moyes has steered the team to seven games unbeaten this term in all competitions.
Hitzlsperger's Verdict on Transfer Debate
Speaking on Breaking the Lines, Hitzlsperger said: "I think this is a bit delicate now, but the whole transfer deadline day debate, or let's say the last few days of transfer windows, I'm just gobsmacked at how much now clubs have to explain themselves about a transfer window."
He added: "Now we judge a transfer window, which to me is insane. Now, are you telling me that because, in the eyes of some people, Arsenal didn't have the best of transfer windows, so they're not going to win a Premier League?"
The former Germany international called for patience, saying: "I want people to commit now. Say it now, because at the end of the season, let's see where Everton is. Do we think they get relegated? I'm not saying they're not, but people have such strong opinions about transfers, especially the incoming players, we will not know how they perform."
Call to Focus on the Game
Hitzlsperger, who became head of sport and then chief executive at VfB Stuttgart before taking up a board member role at Hellas Verona, said: "Personally, it would be much better to talk about football, the game itself, but we end up talking about transfers and money, and people like Fabrizio Romano become stars in the industry, and you think: 'What's he doing?' He's throwing around numbers and rumours.
"Just because he's often the first one announcing somebody who's leaving… is that really, really important? I think it's important who plays well. I think it's important how the guys perform. And yet, so much of our time we spend talking about transfers and big spending and not enough spending and I just don't like this development."
