Chris Wilder Calls for Transfer Window Overhaul: "A System Designed by People Who Don’t Understand Football”

Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder, the Sheffield United manager, has called for the transfer window to close before the start of a new season after claiming the current system was designed by “people who clearly don’t understand football.”

Wilder Slams Current Transfer System

Like most clubs in England’s leading four divisions, Wilder’s side endured an anxious end to this summer’s market as they waited to see if their leading names would be lured away.

Arguing that allowing players to be bought and whilst a campaign is underway creates unnecessary uncertainty, Wilder is at a loss to understand why the sport’s governing bodies refuse to prohibit moves once competitive action is underway.

Majority of Coaches in Agreement

Insisting that the overwhelming majority of coaches agree with his position, the 56-year-old told SportsBoom.com: “It’s a ridiculous situation to be in. A stupid position and there’s no point to it whatsoever.

“Most of us in the game would rather see transfers having to be done before the season starts. The fact they can still happen tells me that the windows were set-up by people who clearly don’t understand football.”

“Football people don’t want this. Not the ones I speak to. I don’t know anyone who wouldn’t rather get all of this sorted out beforehand.”

“There’s no need for it at all. Either those responsible for setting things up as they are now aren’t interested in what we think, don’t get it and don’t want to listen or are allowing it to happen for other reasons. It’s daft.”

Although the window in most countries closed at the end of last month, some remained open for business.

Saudi Arabian teams were permitted to spend until Monday (September 2) bolstering their squad while those in Turkey can broker deals until September 13.

Concerns Over Player Unrest

Despite being active in the transfer market following United’s relegation from the Premier League last term, Wilder feared protracted takeover talks between Bramall Lane’s current owner HRH Prince Abdullah bin Musa’ad bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and an American backed consortium hoping to seize control would leave the likes of Oliver Arblaster and Vini Souza vulnerable to hostile offers.

Arblaster, United’s 20-year-old midfielder, is being monitored by Brentford, Southampton and Brighton while Souza boasts admirers abroad.

“All the current way of doing things does is create uncertainty,” Wilder said. “I don’t think that’s right or fair on anyone involved. If it was up to me, it would get changed right away. If it was up to a lot of other managers and coaches in fact.”

A Call for Fairness and Focus

Wilder added: “Surely, it’s much better for everyone, including the fans, to know that once the matches have started that’s how you are going to be set until at least January? With how things are now, you could play your first match really strong and then possibly see some of your best players leave after a couple of games - then everything changes.”