"I'm not just playing PlayStation" - Acun Ilicali issues staunch defence of Hull City transfer strategy | OneFootball

Hull City have been quite active again in the transfer market this January

Hull City owner Acun Ilicali has issued a defence of the club’s transfer strategy amid their relegation battle.

The Tigers have been busy so far this January, officially bringing in six new players following the appointment of Ruben Selles as manager in December.

Eliot Matazo, Nordin Amrabat, Matt Crooks and Kyle Joseph have all arrived on a permanent basis.

Meanwhile, Lincoln Henroque and Joe Gelhardt have both signed on loan until the end of the campaign, arriving from Fenerbahce and Leeds United respectively, with Louie Barry expected to follow suit in a loan switch from Aston Villa.

Acun Ilicali defends Hull City transfer business across his three-year tenute

Speaking on Sky Sports, Ilicali has claimed that there have been reasons for all of these signings, with Hull also enduring a busy summer market with the sales of many key players.

He has also defended the decision to cash in on individuals like Jacob Greaves and Jaden Philogene, revealing that he has no desire to stand in someone’s way if they want to move on - especially to a higher level.

"I read some articles about me, about transferring too many players to the club, but of course, everything is for a reason," Turkish media mogul Ilicali said.

"I'm not just playing PlayStation. Everything has a reason why we do something.

“First of all, last year, we had some loan players who had to go, and they wanted to play in the Premier League.

“Apart from that, some players came to me, and they said that they wanted to go to play in the Premier League; they wanted to make the transfer.

"I said to them the same thing: I will never put my benefits in front of a player because it is his life, and I'm making a team, and he's only one part of the team, but on the other hand, it is his life that he's asking something from me.

"When my players ask me to give permission to go to the Premier League, of course, I have to give them permission.

“This is who I am, so I don't put stress on the players that they have to stay.

“No, if somebody goes, good for him and for me, it is good. I'm always happy."

Hull City league position

Hull finished seventh in the Championship last season under Liam Rosenior, narrowly missing out on a play-off place.

But the team currently sit 19th in the table, just two points clear of the relegation zone.

Next up for the Tigers is a home clash against Stoke City on 1 February in a 3pm kick-off.

Hull City transfer business has been frustrating for some - but they may have turned a corner

Losing players like Greaves and Philogene last summer was frustrating for Hull supporters to see, but understandable given the figures involved and the opportunity it represented for both players.

But their business since then, including the decision to bring in Tim Walter in place of Rosenior, has not worked out well at all.

This is going to lead to increased scrutiny on the owner, who has done the right thing by coming out and addressing the situation.

It is natural that he’ll want to defend what’s been done, but there’s no denying that it’s been underwhelming for Hull this year, and some stability within the team is now needed after another busy period in the market this January.

Smashing Sheffield United at Bramall Lane 3-0 after doing a lot of their transfer business is certainly a sign that Ilicali, in the short-term at least, is making a positive difference this month with his backing of Ruben Selles, but there needs to be consistency between now and May in order for it to be a success.