FIVE MIDFIELDERS CARDIFF NEED TO CONSIDER THIS SUMMER

Cardiff City have lacked a complete midfielder this season, someone capable of dominating a game both offensively and defensively. Joe Ralls has been The Bluebirds' best answer to this, however Cardiff are bound to try and strengthen in this area if possible in the summer.

Antonio Palumbo:

Antonio Palumbo celebrating for Modena.

Club: Modena

Age: 27

Appearances: 28

Goals: 6

Assists: 2

Goals Per 90: 0.25

Assists Per 90: 0.08

Market Value: £1.3M

Palumbo has been making a name for himself in Serie B for the last three seasons. Palumbo is a progressive midfielder who averages 6.40 Progressive Passes per game, and 2.80 Progressive Carries per game. The 27 year-old contributes great numbers defensively, with 6.95 Recoveries per game, 5.07 Ground Duels Won per game, 2.49 Tackles per game, 1.38 Blocks per game and 0.92 Interceptions per game. The midfielder contributes a great deal going forward, shown by his goal scoring capablities, Palumbo creates 1.84 Chances per game and averages 71.6 Touches per game, showing his dominance in midfield. A player coming into his prime, and is ready to make the next step.

Abdelkahar Kadri:

Abdelkahar Kadri celebrating for KV Kortrijk.

Club: KV Kortrijk

Age: 23

Appearances: 27

Goals: 4

Assists: 3

Goals Per 90: 0.16

Assists Per 90: 0.12

Market Value: £2.5M

The Algerian international has caught the eye of City supporters who have kept a close eye on Kortrijk this season. Kadri is a technically gifted player who 2.98 Successful Take-Ons per game, this whilst creating 1.77 Chances per game. The 23 year-old also offers a great deal defensively, averaging 2.45 Tackles per game, 1.03 Interceptions per game, 1.91 Blocks per game and winning 7.91 Duels per game. Kadri also offers versatility, being able to play as an eight, a ten and on the wing. Cardiff could pick Kadri up for a possible cut-price, due to the club's connection with Kortrijk, and the possibility of De Kerels being relegated this season.

Davy van den Berg:

Davy van den Berg with his thumbs up.

Club: PEC Zwolle

Age: 24

Appearances: 25

Goals: 5

Assists: 2

Goals Per 90: 0.20

Assists Per 90: 0.08

Market Value: £1.2M

Davy van den Berg has been a positive in a struggling Zwolle side this season. The 24 year-old is a complete midfielder who usually operates in a double pivot, which is the same system Cardiff operate with. van den Berg averages 6.71 Progressive Passes per game and 1.60 Progressive Carries per game. The Dutch midfielder is hard working defensively, completing 1.63 Tackles per game, winning 5.56 Duels per game, 7.27 Recoveries per game and completing 1.31 Blocks per game. The midfielder also is capable of contributing offensively, ranking in the top ten for most goals from midfielders in the Eredvise this season.

Marc Leonard:

Marc Leonard in action for Northampton Town.

Club: Brighton and Hove Albion (On loan at Northampton Town)

Age: 22

Appearances: 39

Goals: 5

Assists: 6

Goals Per 90: 0.13

Assists Per 90: 0.15

Market Value: £385k

Leonard has starred for mid-table Northampton this season. Leonard has displayed good attacking qualites by creating 1.62 Chances per game, and by netting five goals whilst setting up six. Leonard averages eighty-one touches per game, showing his importance in Jon Brady's side. The Scottish midfielder wins 1.62 Tackles per game, 5.43 Duels per game, 1.31 Interceptions per game and 6.72 Recoveries per game, showing he's capable of effecting the game at both end of the pitch. Leonard has already been linked with The Bluebirds, as well as Swansea.

Emre Akbaba:

Emre Akbaba celebrating for Adana Demirspor.

Club: Adana Demirspor

Age: 31

Appearances: 29

Goals: 7

Assists: 2

Goals Per 90: 0.26

Assists Per 90: 0.07

Market Value: £1.2M

The experienced Turkish midfielder finds himself out of contract in the summer. The 31 year-old is the fourth highest scoring midfielder in the Super Lig this season. Akbaba creates 1.42 Chances per game and completed 1.39 Dribbles per game, this on top of the nine goals Akbaba has in all competitions this season.. The Turkish international wins on average 1.49 Tackels per game, 6.53 Duels per game and 5.37 Recoveries per game. Akbaba has played for Turkish giants Galatasaray and also Alanyaspor, where he briefly played with Manolis Siopis. Akbaba would be an absoloute steal this summer if a deal could be pulled off.

Summary:

With the possible departures of Ebou Adams, Andy Rinomhota and Romaine Sawyers this summer, Cardiff are going to be forced into the midfield market. There is an abundance of quality on this list, and out there and available in general.

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