At Ajax they call it the club’s “technical heart” and it is staffed by some of the most famous players in their recent history. At Liverpool it is known as the “transfer committee” and includes some who could stroll down Walton Breck Road without fear of being recognised. At Aston Villa they do not yet have a name for those responsible for signing players, but the club’s current situation suggests that, whatever it is they are trying to do, it certainly isn’t working.