CARDIFF CITY'S BEST XI TO FACE WREXHAM

Cardiff City begin their Championship campaign tonight against Welsh compatriots Wrexham at the Cardiff City Stadium.

When the EFL announced the fixtures on Thursday, June 25, eyes would have been drawn to this fixture immediately.

Is Cardiff City vs Wrexham a Welsh derby or a rivalry?

Well, that is a debate for another day.

One thing is for sure: it will be the first league meeting between these two sides since March 22, 2002.

The Bluebirds won 3-2 under the lights at Ninian Park, in the old Division Two, with goals from centre-half duo Danny Gabbidon and Scott Young, as well as the original man who wears the "magic hat", Peter Thorne.

Fast forward 8621 days, and City defeated Wrexham once again by a one-goal margin.

The two sides met in an EFL Cup fourth-round tie last season, with Cardiff prevailing 2-1 at The Racecourse.

Brian Barry-Murphy's side progressed to the quarter-finals thanks to a late winner from Will Fish, their first run to the last eight of the competition since reaching the final in the 2011/12 season.

It is the first of six 'derbies' this season, quite the contest for the opening round of fixtures from the supposed random draw generator...

There has also been plenty of talk about Cardiff City's summer transfer window, with Ryan Wintle leaving for MK Dons, Jesper Daland joining Viking on loan and Omari Kellyman returning to Chelsea.

The Bluebirds have also secured the services of Nathan Trott permanently, while attacking midfielder Jack Moylan arrived from Lincoln City for an initial £3 million outlay reportedly, and Calum Scanlon returned on a season-long loan from Liverpool.

Having said that, Barry-Murphy himself has expressed the need for more arrivals, with a physical no.6, right-winger and striker among the positions being targeted before the window closes on September 1.

So, with the squad as it stands, what would my best Cardiff City starting XI look like?

Goalkeeper: Nathan Trott

Perhaps the most straightforward position to pick in the XI.

The 27-year-old made 46 appearances across all competitions for the Bluebirds last season after joining on loan from FC Copenhagen, establishing himself instantly as Cardiff's No.1.

His deal included a £1.5 million option to buy this summer, and despite admirers elsewhere, there was little doubt from Cardiff's side in triggering that option.

Across his 41 League One appearances, he kept 16 clean sheets - the third most in the division - and conceded just 41 goals, the joint-fewest of any goalkeeper.

His eye-catching shot-stopping caught the eye, while his confidence to step out and play both short and long was magnificent, perfectly suited to what Brian Barry-Murphy wants from his keeper.

Harry Tyrer looks set to be second choice after signing a three-and-a-half-year deal from Everton in January.

He made just two appearances last season, starting the final two games against Northampton Town and Mansfield.

Third in the pecking order is seemingly Matthew Turner, who made eight appearances across all competitions last season.

Neither have done much wrong, but there is no doubt that Trott is the man with the jersey between the sticks for Cardiff's Championship return.

Right-back: Perry Ng

There can be little debate around the right-back position either, with Perry Ng getting the nod here.

The 30-year-old signed a new two-year deal at the beginning of this season, extending his stay after his previous contract expired at the end of last season.

A crucial extension for a player who has consistently been one of City's best players since joining from Crewe Alexandra in January 2021.

The right-back has made 224 appearances for the Bluebirds and has netted 15 goals.

Last season, after an injury that ruled him out of pre-season, he worked his way back to fitness and registered 11 goal contributions in 40 appearances across all competitions.

A back-to-back Player of the Season winner in the 2022-23 and 2023-24 campaigns, Ng brings leadership, experience, consistency, and attacking output, and is one of the very best in his position in the Championship.

The Number 38 even donned the captain's armband in pre-season and last weekend's 3-2 EFL Cup victory over Swindon, operating at centre-half, although I expect him to move back to his favoured position for this game.

Ronan Kpakio offers a more than capable deputy.

The academy graduate had a breakthrough season, making 38 appearances across all competitions, scoring twice and assisting six goals.

A flying right-back, he offers pace and a threat on the overlap, while remaining calm and reliable in possession.

He has since taken on a role as Ng's deputy, and there is no shame in that for a young player still learning his trade with one of the best in his position to learn from.

Kpakio did struggle at times both on the ball and one-v-one defensively against Swindon, but has all the ability to put that right and will be a big player for City in the future.

For now, Perry Ng gets the nod, with Kpakio second choice.

Centre-backs: Calum Chambers & Gabriel Osho

Something that came naturally when Cardiff fans looked at their teamsheet last season was the multiple changes to the starting XI.

Often one or even two of those changes came at centre-back from game to game.

The old adage that you have a best partnership to stick with is not in Barry-Murphy's ideology, with him instead admitting that he has four senior centre-halves to choose from, and that a different pairing suit different games tactically.

Cardiff City played 56 games across the 2025/26 campaign, with Brian Barry-Murphy utilising seven different centre-back partnerships from the start.

The most successful pairing by win percentage was Calum Chambers and Will Fish, who won nine of their thirteen starts together.

Chambers and Gabriel Osho also won four of their six games as a partnership, with their only defeat coming in an uncharacteristic 5-2 loss to Plymouth Argyle.

However, the centre-back situation has become more complicated ahead of this opener.

Last year's Young Player of the Season, Dylan Lawlor, has missed the entirety of pre-season with a long-standing knee issue, while Will Fish has undergone a hernia operation, which is expected to rule him out for three months.

Meanwhile, Calum Chambers is also nursing a knee injury and was ruled out of last week's game against Swindon, although he did feature in most of City's pre-season friendlies, including the impressive 4-1 victory over Roma.

That leaves City with just one fully fit senior centre-half out of their four options: Gabriel Osho.

Barry-Murphy said Osho had "felt something" at the end of Swindon and probably could have come off, but stayed on in the end. However, he was deemed fully fit as of Thursday's press conference.

And he has flown through pre-season.

Osho had a tough start to life in South Wales, with some errors and erratic performances, but has grown throughout.

A promotion winner to the Premier League with Luton, the 28-year-old has shown all the capabilities throughout pre-season that got him to the top flight.

He is physically dominant, good in the air, quick across the floor, and in possession he is capable of progressing the ball through his passing range and dribbling.

The likes of 18-year-old Noah Williams, 15-year-old Noah Anyadike and 20-year-old Thierry Katsukunya have all shown promise in their pre-season minutes, but feel unlikely to be handed senior minutes in that position at this stage of their careers.

Osho looks set to have an outstanding season in a Bluebirds shirt and will be on the teamsheet on Monday, but who is going to partner him?

Perry Ng did a steady job against Swindon, but it upset the balance of the team, and if possible I think we could see Calum Chambers play in this one.

Yes, the former Arsenal man is nursing a knee injury, but played a full 90 against Roma just two weeks ago, and could well make this game.

A leader from the back, and as seen from their stats together last season, a capable pairing.

Chambers and Osho bring experience of playing in big games and could marshal Wrexham's physical qualities while still being good enough in possession to dominate the game.

They will also not be swallowed up by the occasion, and rather feed off the 30,000+ crowd expected at the Cardiff City Stadium.

No doubt, Barry-Murphy will once again play the centre-back roulette wheel this season, but this pair feel right for this game.

A centre-back on loan could well still be a possibility and a needed addition to the squad, however.

Left-back: Joel Bagan

A nailed-on starter in this City side, and who can be surprised?

The 24-year-old was the only senior left-back on the books for the first half of last season and was outstandingly consistent throughout.

He featured in 52 of City's 56 games in all competitions last season, playing 3,631 league minutes - the most of any outfield player for the club, while scoring one goal and registering five assists.

A CF11 academy graduate, he first joined in 2018 from Southampton aged 17 and has since racked up 131 professional appearances for the Bluebirds.

Last season proved his best, marauding down the left side, getting beyond his winger and causing trouble at the business end.

He is also a capable one-v-one defender and excellent in possession, slotting neatly into Brian Barry-Murphy's system.

Without doubt, he enters deservingly as the starting left-back for the season.

However, that isn't to say that he doesn't now have competition.

Calum Scanlon re-joined the club on Saturday, on a season-long loan from Liverpool.

The 21-year-old is an attack-minded left-back with the engine to get up and down the pitch.

He has also shown he can play higher up at times, operating effectively as a wing-back/winger, while possessing a wicked left foot to cross from wide areas.

After travelling with Liverpool on their USA tour and featuring in all three games, Scanlon looks fit and ready to have a major impact this season.

He can give Joel Bagan serious competition, and maybe even a rest here and there!

However, Bagan gets the nod for Monday without doubt.

Midfield Three: Alex Robertson, David Turnbull & Cian Ashford

Following Ryan Wintle's departure this summer, Brian Barry-Murphy has turned to Alex Robertson at the base of his midfield.

The Australian international has proved his capabilities there before in his Manchester City youth days with BBM, as well as at times last season.

He has the energy to get across the pitch, can dictate play from deep and also has an excellent passing range to progress the play.

Given he has featured heavily in that role in pre-season and started there against Swindon, it seems highly unlikely that it will be changed.

His only other natural competition is Eli King, who was out for nearly a year after suffering an ACL injury and has played just 12 minutes in pre-season.

Cardiff have shown interest in a midfielder this summer, notably a 'physical' midfielder, with their ambitious pursuit of Jens Hjertø-Dahl.

But for now Alex Robertson will get the nod.

And in the positions ahead of him, I see David Turnbull and Cian Ashford taking up the two No.8 roles.

Turnbull is perhaps a surprise inclusion for some, but I would select him ahead of Joel Colwill for this fixture.

Cardiff are likely to dominate possession and need a player with the quality on the ball to unlock the deep Wrexham defence, which is more natural to the Scot's game than Colwill's.

Turnbull also impressed in that role against Swindon last weekend, picking up good areas and making runs beyond their defence.

His ability to score from long range gives him another weapon. We have not been treated to as many as his Celtic days, but he has it in his locker for the big moments to pull one out of that magic hat!

Meanwhile, I have given the edge to Cian Ashford over new signing Jack Moylan.

Brian Barry-Murphy described the Welshman as the "best player on the pitch" in last week's 3-2 victory over Swindon.

High praise from his manager, but also justified his inclusion in that role.

He has been one of City's top performers there throughout pre-season and looks more comfortable than when shifted to a wide position, which he has played for much of his senior career.

The 21-year-old also shone with a brace against Italian giants Roma, beating them 4-1 at the Cardiff City Stadium.

He has all the qualities to succeed there: good in possession, tight close control, strong off both feet, a low centre of gravity to turn direction quickly, and also picks up nice pockets to score goals and get assists.

Yes, Jack Moylan has come in as a standout name, but it is all healthy competition right now.

The qualities Ashford has shown, alongside his relentless work rate, make him perfect to start this game.

Therefore, I feel City's best midfield three for tonight's clash is Robertson, Turnbull and Ashford.

Right-wing: Ollie Tanner

This one feels like a straightforward pick.

Yes, I have talked about Ashford's qualities, and he competed with Tanner for the right-winger jersey at times last season, but has since found form in the No.10/midfield role.

Isaak Davies has also operated out there at times but is more naturally a left-winger, cutting inside.

Therefore, Tanner feels the natural option here.

He offers something that is rarely seen in modern football these days - a throwback winger.

A player who has never lost that non-league spirit from his stint at Lewes and Bromley, with a desire to get at his full-back at every opportunity, one-v-one.

Yes, he may not get it right every time and frustrate, but what winger doesn't?

For every one thing he does wrong, he'll do multiple good things to put it right.

The 24-year-old suffered a cruel ankle ligament injury after colliding with an advertising board during a fixture with AFC Wimbledon a year ago.

That put him out for over four months, yet he started 21 of City's remaining 22 League One fixtures from January 10 onwards as the Bluebirds clinched promotion back to the Championship.

That took him to 28 league appearances, where he notched three goals and 12 assists - the second-most in the division, behind only the 13 of Ilmari Niskanen and Reyes Cleary, who had played 18 and 14 more games respectively.

Add into that, this is a player who loves the heat of a derby match and has proven he can deliver.

His record against Swansea speaks for itself, while he also has an unbeaten record in the Severnside derby, and scored at Ashton Gate once before.

He has a proven track record of performing on the biggest occasions for Cardiff City, and here we are again, with the Sky Sports cameras on an evening fixture.

I would not be surprised to see him deliver once again.

While City are interested in getting a right-winger as competition and to offer a different option to Tanner, he gets the nod for me in this role.

Left-wing: Chris Willock

There are three very viable options in this role, and it was tricky to choose.

The three options I think are Chris Willock, Isaak Davies, and newbie Jack Moylan.

Davies offers genuine pace and a threat in behind, scoring three goals in pre-season from the left.

He can drift in and offer a goal threat but also play on that last line and get beyond his man to get crosses into the middle, while being a relentless pressing machine.

The Welshman also started last weekend's curtain-raiser against Swindon in the EFL Cup.

Meanwhile, new signing Jack Moylan operated on the left side for Lincoln City at times during the Imps' League One title-winning season.

He is naturally viewed as a No.10, but said in his announcement video that he naturally likes to drift into the left-hand pockets anyway.

He offers quality on the ball, the ability to get goals and assists, naturally tucking inside to create an overload and allow a left-back to overalp beyond him.

But my pick for the left-winger role would be Chris Willock.

Willock had 15 goal contributions across 47 games in all competitions for the Bluebirds last season.

His dovetailing down the left side with Joel Bagan was one of City's best assets en route to automatic promotion, and seamless in how they work together as a pair.

Willock's natural game is to move inside similarly to Moylan, get on the ball and create opportunities, but likewise has that quality to score himself.

He and Bagan linked up excellently, with Bagan overlapping and allowing Willock to ooze his usual confidence on the ball, as he struts and eases his way beyond defenders to get crosses into the box.

While he did not start last weekend, I feel he is the right fit for this encounter in terms of his ball retention, experience, and balance to the team with Ollie Tanner offering the width on the other side.

Therefore, Chris Willock would be my pick.

Striker: Yousef Salech

Last but by no means least is City's No.9 Yousef Salech.

Callum Robinson provides an able deputy, and his last stint in this division was his joint-best individually on 12 goals, despite the Bluebirds being relegated in 24th place.

Let's also not forget he scored 10 goals and got 3 assists in all competitions last season. The 31-year-old has a wealth of Championship experience and is more than capable at this level.

But he'll understand the natural pecking order and where both players' careers are at, and Salech is the nailed on striker without doubt right now.

Robinson will have to settle for an impact role from the bench, with starts in other games.

The 6ft5in Dane scored eight goals in half a season in the Championship after first arriving from Swedish side Sirius.

Last season, he averaged nearly a goal contribution every two games, with 15 goals and 4 assists in 41 games across all competitions.

Not to forget the horror neck ligament injury he endured against Stockport in late January, which ruled him out for over two months.

City's No.9 has been in fine form throughout pre-season, and looks bigger and more physically dominant than before, which will worry Championship opponents.

His start against Swindon was not bad either...

In City's 3-2 win, Salech played a hand in all three goals, scoring two and assisting one.

Already off to a flyer, he'll be looking to continue that strong form into another big season and kick on once again.

Without doubt, he starts as City's main No.9.

What about the new signings?

Calum Scanlon and Jack Moylan are more than capable of stepping into City's XI, but I would utilise them as impact substitutes for this one.

Both will have a big role to play this season, and the XI could look very different by the time the transfer window closes on September 1.

For now though, this is Cardiff City's best XI that I would trust to start their Championship return against Wrexham.

• Sam's Instagram Link

• Sam's X Link