Title: Esteghlal FC Faces Strategic Crossroads: Internal Critique Highlights Squad Building Concerns
Tehran – A prominent former player of Esteghlal Football Club has voiced significant concerns over the team’s recent transfer strategy and overall direction, painting a picture of a squad grappling with fundamental structural issues despite financial backing.
A Question of Strategy
In a candid interview, Sadegh Varmaziar, a veteran of the club, dissected the team’s current composition, pointing to critical gaps in its lineup. “Our team has no solid defense and lacks a true playmaker,” Varmaziar stated. He expressed dismay that the club’s management appeared to prioritize social media popularity over tactical necessities in the transfer market.
“The signings were made to please the online space,” he claimed, “without considering that recruitment should be for the benefit of the team itself, not for virtual applause.”
Possession Without Punch
Highlighting a recent match as a case study, Varmaziar pointed to a paradox of dominance without danger. “We had 66 percent ball possession, but we didn’t even test their goalkeeper once. What is the use of such possession?” he questioned. He used this example to underscore his argument that financial power alone is insufficient for success. “This is why we say having money isn’t enough. If you have ten Lionel Messis in your team but not a single playmaker, those ten players are of no use.”
The situation, according to the former player, has reached a point where re-signing players from the previous season is being celebrated as a major achievement—a sign he interprets as a deep-rooted problem.
A Contrast in Eras
Reflecting on the club’s history, Varmaziar contrasted the current challenges with past resilience. “I swear to God, in the times when Esteghlal had no money, our team was not in such a poor state,” he recalled. “At the peak of our financial constraints, we would compete in Asia, give teams like Al-Hilal a tough time, and return with a draw.”
He described the current state of the club as “ailing,” noting that existing problems from the last season have been compounded by new, heavy financial commitments due to what he characterized as mismanagement.
A Burdensome Legacy
Varmaziar concluded with a sobering prediction regarding the financial fallout, suggesting that the club is now obligated to fulfill substantial contracts for players who may not have delivered expected value. This, he implied, could handcuff the club’s operations for the foreseeable future, creating a cycle of obligation that hinders genuine sporting progress.
The interview provides a stark internal perspective on the pressures and strategic decisions facing one of Iran’s most storied football institutions.
