Was that the worst transfer window...

Don't understand why people think FFP will help smaller clubs. It'll just help keep the teams consistent with where they already are seeing as (in basic terms) you can only spend what you make. So the teams that make more money can spend more.

It just stops rich owners from taking over a club and pumping tonnes of money into it and makes sure clubs are self sufficient. The definition of 'fair' is questionable.

Jordan, yeah exactly.

The only teams it helps it be fairer to are the clubs in and around the CL as it makes it easier for them to compete financially with City and Chelsea as their billionaires can't just blow everyone out of the water.

But those clubs are Liverpool, United and Arsenal - three of the biggest and richest clubs in the country.

Not doing much for little old West Brom and Palace.

FFP does help lower division teams, and encourages teams to be better run, which is a good thing.

Personally I don't think billionaire/millionaire investors distorting competition is a good thing.

A better thing is clubs being well run, scouting properly, bringing youth players through etc.

FFP didn't kill competition. The PL already did that.

It's also worth noting that FFP is only relevant to teams that compete in Uefa competitions.

The PL’s spending constraints however were based on FFP, (and introduced after a vote of PL clubs) and have been designed to benefit all clubs.

Each (professional) division in England now have rules in place that restrict their spending which can only be beneficial for the long term health of the game.

Also, billionaire investors are only likely to invest in clubs with potential anyway.

It's not like some rich Russian was going to buy Accrington and take them to the top before FFP.

Clubs like Man C and Chelsea were already big clubs. Chelsea were regulars in Europe. Man C had a rich history, albeit poor recent times.

Nobody is going to spend billions on Hull.

FFP doesn't help the lower division clubs get into the premier league, though.

Southampton and Leicester probably wouldn't be premier league sides if it were in place when they started investing.

Darren The King Fletcher

FFP is not designed to 'help' clubs – it is to ensure they self regulate, and live within their means.

A billionaire can still buy a club, and pump money into it, (for off the field improvements, training, facilities infrastructure etc).

Never said it was designed to help clubs. They were righteous' choice of words, I'm saying it doesn't help then get into the premier league.

Yes they can. But it limits the rate of investment and so can have a ceiling on where the club can go and how quickly they get there.

Whether that's right or wrong is another debate. But it's what it is.

IMO an important caveat as it encourages natural growth, rather than being grossly pumped up on financial steroids.

As seen across Europe recently, a host of clubs have found themselves in strenuous positions following the loss of third party benefactors.

Given the disparity between the haves and have nots financial steroids are needed in many cases to grow.

But like I said, that's another debate, we were just discussing what is actually happening rather than whether it's right or wrong for that to be the case.