Davy Klaassen claims the English transfer market was behind his Everton downfall.
Klaassen ended a dismal 12-month period at Goodison Park when he secured a £13 million move to Bundesliga side Werder Bremen earlier this summer.
The Holland international arrived with a burgeoning reputation when he joined the Blues from Ajax as part of a £23.6m switch in June 2017.
But Klaassen, who had captained the Amsterdam club to the Europa League final, believes that an emphasis on heavy spending undermined his case.
He said, “The first few weeks have certainly felt like this [a fresh start]. I did not play much last season. For that reason, it’s a reboot.
“But I have not stopped training in England every day and have not stopped feeling like a footballer.
“In England, it’s all about the money – because it’s just there. Basically the clubs can shop as they want.
“In Germany, this really big money is not there. The clubs are more concerned with developing an idea, a philosophy.
“For me, the move to Bremen is also something of a change back to the roots of football.”