CAN ALEX ROBERTSON BE THE RYAN WINTLE REPLACEMENT?
- ccfcinsider
- Jul 6
- 4 min read
Following the decision not to renew Cardiff City's Player of the Season Ryan Wintle's contract, there is now a gaping hole at the base of City's midfield, and whilst Cardiff continued to be linked loosely with various holding midfielders, is the replacement already contracted to The Bluebirds?
Where did Wintle fit-in?
Cardiff lined up with a 4-2-3-1 throughout the 25/26 season, however on the eye it looked slightly different to that. Ryan Wintle played very much as a sweeper and deep-lying playmaker, and the player alongside him would typically play a more advanced box-to-box role.
Wintle's defensive skills and good distribution made him ready-made for that role. The 29 year-old really stepped up his off the ball work rate last season, shadowing the back four excellently.
What role does Robertson currently play?
Typically Robertson would play as the box-to-box option alongside Wintle. The Australian international did play the role slightly different to a Joel Colwill for example. Even from the number eight position, Robertson did very much influence and dictate Cardiff's play. Dropping in, almost like a number six on several occasions.
Playing the more advanced role, Robertson's attacking qualities were evident, netting six with five of them coming in the box. The 23 year-old provides excellent movement off the ball, and from that eight role can carry the ball brilliantly, with his assist for Chris Willock against Bolton proving just that.
What do the numbers say?
The comparison in numbers suggests that Robertson offers the stronger all-round profile, while Wintle provides greater defensive intensity. Robertson combines excellent ball progression with solid defensive contributions, recording higher progressive carries, passes into the final third, chances created, possession wins, interceptions, clearances, and goal involvements. These attributes indicate a midfielder capable of winning the ball, progressing play through carrying and passing, and contributing creatively in possession, making him well suited to teams that dominate the ball and build attacks through midfield.
Wintle, by contrast, excels in the more destructive aspects of the role. His higher tackle count and superior ground duel success demonstrate an ability to disrupt opposition attacks and regain possession through direct defensive actions. While he contributes less in possession and offers limited attacking output, his defensive work rate and physicality make him an effective ball-winning No. 6, particularly in teams that defend deeper, press aggressively, or prioritise protecting the back line.
Overall, Robertson profiles as a more complete, possession-oriented No. 6 with greater influence in both phases of play, whereas Wintle is better suited to a specialist ball-winning role focused on defensive security and recovering possession.
What could Cardiff gain from Robertson playing deeper?
Cardiff would naturally become a more controlled side in possession. Robertson naturally looks to retain the ball, and would provide a more progressive option from deep through his passing and his strong ball-carrying ability. Robertson's technical ability would give Cardiff greater flexibility in possession. He could drop between the centre-backs during build-up, drift into wider areas to create passing angles, or step forward into midfield when space opens up. This movement would make Cardiff less predictable when playing out from the back.
Although playing deeper, Robertson's creative qualities could still influence the final third. His willingness to carry the ball forward and pick out incisive passes could lead to more chances created for Cardiff's forwards, while his own goal contributions suggest he can support attacks when opportunities arise.
Cardiff's style. Rather than replacing Wintle's ball-winning qualities, he would shift the emphasis towards ball progression, creativity and control, allowing Cardiff to build attacks more effectively from deep while accepting a slight reduction in defensive aggression.
What could Cardiff lose from Robertson playing deeper?
Wintle's higher tackle numbers and superior ground duel success suggest he is more effective at engaging opponents directly and breaking up attacks. Robertson is more inclined to regain possession through positioning and anticipation than through physical challenges, meaning Cardiff could lose some of their bite out of possession. Wintle's strengths in defensive duels provide a level of security against physically imposing midfielders. Robertson's game is based more on technical quality than physical dominance, so Cardiff may lose some robustness in midfield battles.
Robertson's attacking instincts may require adjustments elsewhere in the team, in terms of more responsibility from others around him defensively. The midfielder's attacking number would also be missed, with the Australian international boasting sharp attacking qualities and has an eye for goal.
While Robertson has the technical ability to excel in a deeper role, Cardiff would likely sacrifice some of the defensive intensity, physicality and ball-winning presence that Wintle provides. The trade-off would be a midfield with greater creativity, ball progression and control in possession, but one that may require stronger collective organisation to maintain the same level of defensive stability.
Verdict - Can Alex Robertson be the Ryan Wintle replacement?
The short answer is yes, but not as a like-for-like replacement.
While both players are capable of operating as a No. 6, they achieve the role in different ways. Wintle's game is built around defensive intensity, excelling in tackles, ground duels and shielding the back line. He provided Cardiff with a reliable ball-winner who thrives out of possession and offers stability in defensive transitions.
Robertson, on the other hand, offers a more modern interpretation of the position. His strengths lie in progressing the ball through midfield, carrying possession into advanced areas and creating chances. He combines strong defensive awareness through interceptions and possession recoveries with the technical quality to dictate play from deep, making him a valuable asset in possession.
Replacing Wintle with Robertson would therefore represent more than a personnel change, it would signal a tactical shift. Cardiff would likely sacrifice some defensive aggression and physicality but gain greater control, creativity and progression from midfield. Robertson's profile suggests he could help the team dominate possession and build attacks more effectively, provided the players around him offer sufficient defensive support.
Ultimately, if Cardiff are looking for another Ryan Wintle, Robertson is not the answer. However, if they are looking to evolve their midfield and adopt a more possession-based style, Alex Robertson has the attributes to not only replace Wintle, but potentially raise the team's ceiling in possession.
Stats via Opta
Comments