Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa believes financial rules have "killed" the Premier League club.
Villa have faced right restraints in order to comply with UEFA's financial fair play regulations, meaning they have to cut a hefty wage bill, and comply with the Premier League's profit and sustainability rules (PSR).
Villa have also had to sell homegrown talent Jacob Ramsey to Newcastle.
A flurry of transfer deadline day deals on Monday saw Victor Lindelof arrive on a free transfer, with Jadon Sancho and Harvey Elliott joining on loan moves.
Villa manager Unai Emery and club captain John McGinn have both called for reform to the rules and Konsa, who is hoping to represent England at Villa Park against Andorra on Saturday, said: "It is crazy. I don't understand it myself but from the outside looking in, it doesn't look too good.
"I know that. I know it's really killed us this transfer window.
"We're going to have to deal with what we've got now."
On the field, Villa have taken just one point from their opening three Premier League games and have not scored a goal.
But they reached the Champions League quarter-finals last season under Emery and Konsa believes the side can regain their form after the international break.
"We've a great squad, I believe in our squad. I believe in our manager," he added. "Hopefully the boys who have come in can really help us and push us on. "When you've had two very good seasons, you obviously want to continue that and look, we want to stay up there.
"We want to stay in the top six, top five and the aim for everyone that up there...we want to play Champions League football."