WHAT DO CARDIFF NEED IN THE LAST TWELVE DAYS OF THE WINDOW?
- ccfcinsider
- Aug 18, 2024
- 5 min read
Twelve days remain of the Transfer Window, and work is still to be done for Erol Bulut and The Bluebirds. After two games, City find themselves with two defeats, having scored none and conceded seven. So what do Cardiff need with the window close to closure?
Mark McGuinness replacement?
Mark McGuinness was left out of Cardiff's most recent squad due to speculation over his future. McGuinness has interest from recently relegated Luton. Erol Bulut refused to comment whether City had accepted an offer for the Irish defender, instead saying it was in the hands of the board.
The Bluebirds now find themselves in need to recruit a centre back, ideally one that can play on the left side of defence. Dimitrios Goutas has struggled when deployed on the left side, and therefore someone who can naturally slot in on the left hand side would be ideal for Cardiff.
Jesper Daland (24)
The Bluebirds have been linked with Norwegian defender Jesper Daland, in a deal that would reportedly cost £1M. Daland is a progressive defender who likes to carry the ball out of defence. Daland is comfortable playing on both sides of defence. The 24 year-old is dominant in the air and has strong defensive stats. Daland averages 4.66 Aerial Duels Won per game, 4.32 Clearances per game, 1.70 Tackles per game and 1.44 Interceptions per game.
Jorge Fernandes (27)
Fernandes is similar to Daland in many ways. The 27 year-old is a progressive defender, averaging 4.14 Progressive Passes per game. The Portuguese defender is dominant, winning 4.58 Aerial Duels per game, 4.36 Clearances per game, 1.88 Tackles per game and 1.29 Blocks per game. Fernandes has been deployed as a left-back at times in his career, showing his comfortability on that side. The defender also only has one year left on his Vitoria contract. Fernandes has a market value of £2M.
Ross Sykes (25)
Sykes has come on leaps and bounds since moving from Accrington to Union SG. Sykes plays on the left side on a back three, with the English defender matching the progressive defender profile. Sykes averages 4.56 Progressive Passes per game and also likes to carry the ball out of the back line. Standing at six foot five, it's no surprise the 25 year-old is dominant, winning 3.24 Aerial Duels per game, 4.30 Clearances, 1.72 Interceptions and 1.65 Tackles. Sykes has a market value of £1.8M.
Pace on the flanks?
Cardiff are missing some directness and pace on the flanks. A powerful winger capable of supplying for the striker. The Bluebirds have different profile wingers, but none that scream pace, something City have needed for years.
Siriki Dembele (27)
Dembele is a direct winger who thrives in one-on-one's, averaging 3.34 Successful Take-Ons per game. The 27 year-old was a rare positive in Blues' relegation season, and is tipped for a Championship return this summer with Blackburn linked. Dembele has many qualities, one of which is creating chances, The Ivory Coast winger creates 4.14 Shot-Creating actions per game. The forward would bring much needed pace to the flanks for The Bluebirds, as well as a pedigree at this level. Dembele's market value is £1.8M.
Kwame Poku (23)
Poku finished ninth in League One for non G/A per game, averaging 0.66 Goal Involvements per game. The 23 year-old is improving season on season with his direct and fast style. The Ghanaian international creates 1.97 chances per game, compare this to last seaspn Josh Bowler who on average created 0.92 per game. Poku's pace and power has made him one of the most sought after talents in the EFL, and he's a talent Cardiff should pursue.
Yan Matheus (25)
Matheus once again fits the profile of fast and direct. The Brazilian assisted seven goals in eighteen games for Marinos. The winger is also capable of picking a great pass, sometimes dropping deep, and playing balls in behind. Matheus specialises at getting in behind using his pace, and is also capable of a great strike outside the box cutting in on his left. The 25 year-old's market value is £1.2M.
Another Striker?
Cardiff find themselves with two strikers out for the majority of the first half of the season. The Bluebirds were always thought to want two strikers this summer, Wilfried Kanga is one, but who should City target for their next striker signing?
Jackson Muleka (24)
Cardiff have been linked with a move for Besiktas forward Jackson Muleka. The 24 year-old is wanted by a side in Saudi Arabia and Russia as well, with any deal for Muleka rumoured to cost £2M. Muleka has netted fifteen goals across his two seasons at Besiktas, with the Congolese being deployed all across he front three. With thr forward praised for his intesity and work rate during his time in Turkey. Muleka is strong in the air and can be clinical, as proven by his time at Kasımpaşa, where the forward netted twelve goals in fourteen games.
Ryan Hardie (27)
If Cardiff are looking for a striker who has done it at this level, someone like Ryan Hardie should come under consideration. Hardie has netted double figures in his last three seasons, and is only getting better. The Scottish striker is a nippy striker that likes to get in behind, and naturally finds himself in the right place at the right time regularly. The 27 year-old likes to get shots off, averaging 3.10 shots per game. Hardie adds a different profile to City's forward line. Argyle's striker's market value is £1.5M.
Ado Onaiwu (28)
Onaiwu is a poacher and similarly to Hardie finds himself in the right place at the right time. The Japanese forward can also play off both flanks. The 28 year-old gets shots off, averaging 2.75 shots per game, with 0.71 ending in goals. Onaiwu netted fifteen goals in Ligue 2 last campaign. The Auxerre forward is strong in the air and defends well in the forward line. The former Toulouse and Yokohama F. Marinos forward's hold up play is also impressive.
Perhaps a Left-Back?
Jamilu Collins finds himself out for the next two months. Some fans would like to see a new left back in before the end of the window. I have already put together a list of Five Left-Backs Cardiff should consider before the window.
Conclusion:
It's obvious from the first two games that City still have plenty of work to do in the window. Perhaps The Bluebirds need to recruit in positions I haven's stated, if you think so, let me know which position and a name you'd like...
The Bluebirds have controlled large spells of all three games so far this season, but ruthlessness is needed to be added before the window closes.
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