From a study of the line shape of the $X\left(3872\right)$, the LHCb collaboration measures a sizeable negative effective range. This cannot be reconciled with a shallow $D{\overline{D}}^{*}$ bound state hypothesis. Based on Weinberg’s compositeness criterion, together with a theorem by Smorodinsky, it follows that the $X$ has to have a compact hidden charm structure interacting with unbound $D{\overline{D}}^{*}$ pairs via short-distance color forces. This conclusion is strengthened by the general pattern recently emerging from exotic mesons.