WHO COULD BE THE NEXT CARDIFF CITY CAPTAIN?
- ccfcinsider
- Jul 21
- 4 min read
Several senior players have departed The Bluebirds so far this season, including club captain Joe Ralls and vice-captain Aaron Ramsey. This means City are looking to name a new club captain in the near future, with the start of the new season just eleven days away, who could be the man to lead the side out for the season?
Who is the most proven option?
Cardiff City's most experienced player in terms of games played as it stands is Perry Ng, who has made 378 career appearances, and was captain of Crewe Alexandra for a season and a half before joining The Bluebirds in January 2021. The 29 year-old has also worn the City armband on a handful of occasions.
Callum Robinson follows as the second most experienced options with 370 appearances, however has never been captain at a club during his career.
Next is Ryan Wintle, with 338 career appearances. Wintle has captained Cardiff City on several occasions. Same goes for Jak Alnwick who has racked up 323 career appearances, and was a consistent captain for City last season.
Younger Options:
Cardiff City's longest serving first team player is Joel Bagan. The 23 year-old captained City's youth sides, so could be an option to be considered, especially given he could be a more prominent figure in the side this season.
Eli King and Tanatswa Nyakuhwa have also captained City youth sides at times. Dylan Lawlor has also been a prominent captain throughout the age groups.
Who I think will be considered:
Jak Alnwick (32)
Position: Goalkeeper
Career Appearances: 323
Cardiff City Appearances: 64
Alnwick seems to be a fair candidate to put forward having led the side out on many occasions last season. This does ultimately depend on whether Brian Barry-Murphy opts with the 32 year-old as his first choice keeper this season. The City shot-stopper captained the side on eighteen occasions last season and has held leadership roles at previous clubs, which makes him a decent candidate to take the armband.
Perry Ng (29)
Position: Right-Back/Centre-Back
Career Appearances: 378
Cardiff City Appearances: 183
The most experienced player in the ranks, held the armband during his career and could be a crucial player, feels a bit of a no brainer that Ng could be considered. This does also have things it could depend on, that being how long the Singaporean is out for, with varying reports on the length of injury, also the fact Ng is out of contract at the end of the season could come into play. If those things could be ironed out, there's a fair case for the 29 year-old to be considered.
Calum Chambers (30)
Position: Right-Back/Centre-Back/Midfielder
Career Appearances: 288
Cardiff City Appearances: 42
Chambers had the biggest pedigree at Cardiff City, with a respectable career that has consisted of several seasons in the Premier League. The versatile defender had a varied season, but played a crucial role in some big wins for City last season. Chambers is a leader on the pitch and from the stands you could see him as an organiser in that team, something that is needed from a captain. The 30 year-old seems a natural option to consider.
Rubin Colwill (23)
Position: Midfielder
Career Appearances: 161
Cardiff City Appearances: 154
Despite not holding any previous similar role, Brian Barry-Murphy is clearly a fan of Rubin Colwill based on the way he's spoke about the Academy product so far. Therefore, Barry-Murphy may look at Colwill to lead the side and be the face of this new Cardiff City. Colwill is now one of the senior members of the squad, and giving him the captaincy could bring a new side out of the talented midfielder.
Players I would also consider:
Yousef Salech (23)
Position: Striker
Career Appearances: 127
Cardiff City Appearances: 22
Yousef Salech captivates what I want from a captain. The 23 year-old leads from the front and just had a personality which I think would thrive with the armband. Granted we have a small sample of the Jordanian striker, I think giving him the armband and a sense of responsibility could propel the exciting striker, and could also be an incentive for Salech to stay.
David Turnbull (26)
Position: Midfielder
Career Appearances: 206
Cardiff City Appearances: 36
Probably more of a rogue shout, but I'd like to see Turnbull at least considered. The Scottish international wore the armband on occasions at Celtic, so clearly has some essential leadership qualities. A decision to make him one of the leading figures could again bring the best out of Turnbull, and possibly show a side we're still waiting to see in a City shirt.
Who would I make Captain and Vice-Captain?
My choice for new club captain would be Calum Chambers with Yousef Salech as vice-captain.
This probably won't be the most popular choice. However, I feel Chambers has that pedigree and personality you want in a captain, especially at this level. He commands that respect given his career at the top level, and I feel he's a real strong candidate to lead this young Cardiff side into the season.
I would also love to see Yousef Salech take up a leadership role within the squad. It was real close between Salech and Rubin Colwill for the vice captain role, as I feel both could be real influential this season. Similar to Chambers, I feel Salech has the personality you'd want in someone leading the side and you feel he's a character that really understands what it means to play for Cardiff City.
Summary:
There's options to be considered internally, but also you can't rule out a new signing coming in and taking the armband. However, out of the current crop of players, I do feel there's a handful of contenders that could fit the role really well.
Let me know who you'd like to see as Captain and Vice-Captain via Social Media!
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