Hughes dislikes transfer window

City manager laments current format

By James Dall   Last updated: 14th January 2009

Hughes dislikes transfer window

Hughes: Transfer grumble

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Manchester City manager Mark Hughes has expressed his dislike for the transfer window format.

Hughes, backed by the financial muscle of the Abu Dhabi United Group, has until 5pm on 2nd February to add to his squad before incomings and outgoings are again on hold until the summer.

The Welsh coach has already landed left-back Wayne Bridge from Chelsea, and reports on Wednesday have strongly linked the club with an extravagant move for AC Milan star Kaka.

But Hughes has admitted he finds the fragmented system frustrating, and has questioned the logistics of the process.

Slow

"I don't particularly like the transfer window because you have to wait to address things that could be sorted out a lot more quickly under the old system," he told the Manchester Evening News.

"I am sure there were reasons behind bringing in the transfer window in the first place but I cannot fathom what they were.

"There have been weaknesses in our squad for quite some time and I have not had the opportunity to address those. If I had been able to do so I would have done it very quickly.

"Now we get to January and the prices are inflated, expectations are heightened and the media goes crazy. I don't think it is a healthy situation."