Ken Choo - ' Tans Football Knowledge Instrumental '

Cardiff City CEO Ken Choo

02/09/15

Cardiff City signed four new first team players during the transfer window just ended, Sammy Ameobi, Semi Ajayi, Gabriel Tamas and Idriss Saadi, kept key David Marshall plus Kenwyne Jones despite strong interest and moved fringe players out.

Javi Guerra returned to Spain, while Etien Velikonja and Filip Kiss are on long-term loans abroad.

The Bluebirds’ chief executive officer, Ken Choo, met our man Terry Phillips to talk about the ins and outs.


KC: We are very clear with our objectives this season and our ambition is very strong. Everything done during this summer transfer window has been done with our end goal in mind. That end goal, of course, is promotion back to the Premier League.

In terms of the investments made this summer, we’ve brought in quality players that will complement an already talented squad. Most recently we’ve brought in Idriss Saadi and Gabriel Tamas.

New Cardiff City signing Idriss Saadi
Idriss has a good goalscoring record and is quick, strong and powerful. He is still young and improving – but crucially, he is hungry. He has a growing reputation in France and will wear the No.39 shirt for next season.

As for Gabriel, he is vastly experienced with over 60 international caps for Romania. He can cover five different positions, has Premier League experience and has joined us a one year deal.

Gabriel Tamas has a controversial international historyGabriel Tamas signed for Cardiff
We do our homework on every player. Our football department scout players in person and on video, with our recruitment staff regularly visiting foreign countries to research players’ backgrounds and lifestyle for example.

We also get valuable feedback from our European scouts at sister-club KV Kortrijk who we have an excellent relationship with. There is an excellent synergy between the two clubs.


And as for those going out?

Tony O'BrienEoin Doyle has joined Preston on loan
KC: We felt it was important for Eoin Doyle to play regular games this season to get sharpness back – he may not have had that opportunity as often here at Cardiff City with the number of strikers we have in our ranks.

We’re confident he will do well for Preston and he remains an asset to us. Players leaving on loan is sometimes pragmatic – it doesn’t mean they don’t have a future with us.

Sometimes, you have to look at the future value of your players too.

Cardiff City sign unknown French League striker Idriss Saadi ahead of transfer deadline day


Rhys Healey is another who we’ve allowed out on loan, to Dundee. He made his first-team debut against Chelsea in 2014 remember, so he’s certainly a player we have hopes for. He’s scored 23 goals in 25 games for our Under-21/Development team so now he has the chance to prove himself at the higher level of the Scottish Premier League.

It’s our goal to strengthen our under-21 players in this way so that they are ready when called upon for first team level.

The likes of Etien Velikonja and Filip Kiss have moved away on long-term loan deals, while Javi Guerra has left us to join Rayo Vallecano. Footballers need to play football, so to move these players on is not only good business for us, but right for them and their careers. We wish them all well.



How does the club come to transfer decisions? We understand Vincent Tan, Mehmet Dalman, Russell Slade and yourself work closely on these.
Ken Choo, Vincent Tan and Mehmet DalmanKen Choo, Vincent Tan and Mehmet Dalman
KC: The four of us work as a team on all transfers, incoming and outgoing. This ensures that we avoid making the mistakes that were made in the past at this club.

Vincent Tan is the key component in all we do in this respect. His accumulated football knowledge and business acumen allow us to make clearer decisions and this gives us a distinct edge.

We all contribute to ensure we make the best decisions for our football club. I work on a daily basis with our chairman, Mehmet Dalman, who provides us with critical insight and advice.

As a result, we ensure that while we strengthen in the areas that Russell identifies need strengthening, we do so with diligence.



Has holding on to the likes of David Marshall and Kenwyne Jones re-emphasised the ambition that you’ve mentioned?
Kenwyne Jones and David Marshall are both wanted by other clubsKenwyne Jones and David Marshall stayed at Cardiff
KC: We managed to retain all of our key players during this window, despite interest from other clubs. The support of Vincent Tan was again crucial to us achieving this outcome together, while his continued support has allowed us to fund deals during the window, especially the acquisition of Idriss Saadi.

As you’ve correctly mentioned, keeping our captain and last season’s leading goal-scorer leaves us in excellent shape going forward.

We’ve brought four players in over the window to complement a talented group that had already been bolstered by the likes of Kagisho Dikgacoi, Anthony Pilkington and Joe Mason returning this summer. I’m sure our supporters have been impressed by the impact that they’ve made.

Overall, do you feel the future is looking bright?
KC: We’re very satisfied with our state of affairs. We remain unbeaten in league competition after an unbeaten pre-season and the fact that we’ve twice come from behind already to secure points shows the fantastic team spirit and determination to play for the shirt.

Noone, Mason, Ameobi, Jones, Malone and Morrison have all scored over the course of five league games, too, which highlights our depth of talent. I’m pleased with our situation on and off the field and I’m sure supporters are looking towards our next home game with Huddersfield with well-justified optimism. All cylinders are firing.

"Vincent Tan's football knowledge".

For all of you still at school, what you see above is a classic example of what is known as an oxymoron.

VT certainly knows his football getting rid of all the deadwood, and getting other players out on loan to get game time

"Vincent Tan's football knowledge".

For all of you still at school, what you see above is a classic example of what is known as an oxymoron.

an oxymoron from a fukin moron,imagine thinking tan has football knowledge,this the same man who wanted to know why marshall wasnt scorig more and the same guy who boos his own team, yeah great knowledge compared to the bum on the street in malaysia maybe

The only people in this world who think Tan has football knowledge, are the one's walking round with their trousers pulled up under their f*cking armpits!!

The only people in this world who think Tan has football knowledge, are the one's walking round with their trousers pulled up under their f*cking armpits!!

They surely must know they're not fooling anyone by claiming Tan has instrumental football knowledge. The only thing Tan has ever shown at this club is complete ignorance and arrogance.

However, he is definitely making much better decisions recently and it looks like the club is moving in the right direction. Still a lot of work to be done, but the start is encouraging.

Having fully fit players in Kagisho Dikgacoi and Anthony Pilkington is effectively the same as two new players, so all in all a very good transfer window (in and out)

Not too sure about VT's "accumulated football knowledge" but I guess he must be learning by now and his 'business acumen' (now the spendthrift days of MM and OGS are over) certainly appears to be showing within the corridors of the CCS!

I'm not sure at which point the see-saw will tilt the balance towards Tan rather than against, but there are positive signs that this club is starting to find its mojo again!

They are obviously trying a massive PR to get Tan back into favour .

To be fair he hasn't sold and so far results are good.

Long way to go though

"Vincent Tan's football knowledge".

For all of you still at school, what you see above is a classic example of what is known as an oxymoron.

Nothing wrong with biggin up your boss. Not uncommon these football oxymorons,feckin shed full on here.

The only people in this world who think Tan has football knowledge, are the one's walking round with their trousers pulled up under their f*cking armpits!!

Unfortunately there are a few on this forum who still have their head firmly buried in the sand who also think he has football knowledge.

Tan hasn't had the fire sale many on here said was going to happen. He's made sure we've kept hold of key players got rid of the dead wood and brought a little quality in.

People on here just cannot help themselves and love to dig at the bloke at any chance they get, he's made mistakes and gone back on them and put it right, things are looking up at last and the season has the making of a good one. Cut the negatives out for a change.

Probably taken out context as well? That's the norm on here, while he may have used those words bet it was part of larger statement!

Tan hasn't had the fire sale many on here said was going to happen. He's made sure we've kept hold of key players got rid of the dead wood and brought a little quality in.

People on here just cannot help themselves and love to dig at the bloke at any chance they get, he's made mistakes and gone back on them and put it right, things are looking up at last and the season has the making of a good one. Cut the negatives out for a change.

Norms,Ive always been honest with you,NO clubs came in with proper bIds,other than WBA,so we were not tested.

Sorry Annis but you do not know everything that happens at Cardiff
you know more than most ,I have no doubt in that but still the way you talk on here
are you VT in disguise ?
Give credit where credit is due or the other thing is say nowt as most posts on here are having a go at VT and also negative towards cardiff which becomes boring after a while

I would like to think VT has learned a lot about the football business side of the game but if he ain't then no problem as someone has as Cardiff are doing things right Atm which is good to see

Bellamy wont be happy him wearing the 39 shirt

Tan did persuade our top goalscorer Marshall to stay!

Tan hasn't had the fire sale many on here said was going to happen. He's made sure we've kept hold of key players got rid of the dead wood and brought a little quality in.

People on here just cannot help themselves and love to dig at the bloke at any chance they get, he's made mistakes and gone back on them and put it right, things are looking up at last and the season has the making of a good one. Cut the negatives out for a change.

Norms,Ive always been honest with you,NO clubs came in with proper bIds,other than WBA,so we were not tested.

Total bollacks we were tested by wba over Marshall and if threads on this board are to be believed by s.Wednesday over Jones ,and by leeds over noone, and wolves over Mason ,plus im sure we were asked about many more who we don't know about

Tan hasn't had the fire sale many on here said was going to happen. He's made sure we've kept hold of key players got rid of the dead wood and brought a little quality in.

People on here just cannot help themselves and love to dig at the bloke at any chance they get, he's made mistakes and gone back on them and put it right, things are looking up at last and the season has the making of a good one. Cut the negatives out for a change.

Norms,Ive always been honest with you,NO clubs came in with proper bIds,other than WBA,so we were not tested.

Total bollacks we were tested by wba over Marshall and if threads on this board are to be believed by s.Wednesday over Jones ,and by leeds over noone, and wolves over Mason ,plus im sure we were asked about many more who we don't know about

Wed never made a bid and Leeds came in after transfer deadline facts
Wolves 100% Not true,as if we would turn £4 mill down for Mason
Yes we turned WBA down

Tan hasn't had the fire sale many on here said was going to happen. He's made sure we've kept hold of key players got rid of the dead wood and brought a little quality in.

People on here just cannot help themselves and love to dig at the bloke at any chance they get, he's made mistakes and gone back on them and put it right, things are looking up at last and the season has the making of a good one. Cut the negatives out for a change.

Norms,Ive always been honest with you,NO clubs came in with proper bIds,other than WBA,so we were not tested.

Annis, regardless of whether or not clubs came in for them, the fact that we didn't sell any of our key players proves that Tan isn't trying to sell off CCFC's assets. If that were the case players would have been paraded around to potential suitors, for all we know other teams made enquiries (enquiries, not bids) about Manga, Jones, Mason etc. but they were told that they're not for sale under any circumstances. Perhaps we weren't tested by offers because the club didn't allow us to get in that position.

It's getting old that everything, even a positive such as keeping our key players, is being spun with anti-Tan propaganda.

Tan hasn't had the fire sale many on here said was going to happen. He's made sure we've kept hold of key players got rid of the dead wood and brought a little quality in.

People on here just cannot help themselves and love to dig at the bloke at any chance they get, he's made mistakes and gone back on them and put it right, things are looking up at last and the season has the making of a good one. Cut the negatives out for a change.

Norms,Ive always been honest with you,NO clubs came in with proper bIds,other than WBA,so we were not tested.

Annis, regardless of whether or not clubs came in for them, the fact that we didn't sell any of our key players proves that Tan isn't trying to sell off CCFC's assets. If that were the case players would have been paraded around to potential suitors, for all we know other teams made enquiries (enquiries, not bids) about Manga, Jones, Mason etc. but they were told that they're not for sale under any circumstances. Perhaps we weren't tested by offers because the club didn't allow us to get in that position.

It's getting old that everything, even a positive such as keeping our key players, is being spun with anti-Tan propaganda.

I beg to differ, also Tan is not backing Slade as he should,Slade missed out a midfield player through lack of money.
Clubs honestly did not test us.
At this moment I have to admit Slade is improving the football and I am enjoying it again

We were warned before the window that players would go if the right bid came.

Obviously, the right bids never came.

No noone bid
No mason bid
No Kenwyn bid

Glad we've kept them all.
Not sure if it was football knowledge or business strategy that was used in this window.

Don't you think the references to Tan in his interview are over the top?
It's like any interview they have, the glorious leader gets a mention.....

It might be my suspicion of Tan or....

Is Tan North Korean by any chance?

Tan hasn't had the fire sale many on here said was going to happen. He's made sure we've kept hold of key players got rid of the dead wood and brought a little quality in.

People on here just cannot help themselves and love to dig at the bloke at any chance they get, he's made mistakes and gone back on them and put it right, things are looking up at last and the season has the making of a good one. Cut the negatives out for a change.

Norms,Ive always been honest with you,NO clubs came in with proper bIds,other than WBA,so we were not tested.

Annis, regardless of whether or not clubs came in for them, the fact that we didn't sell any of our key players proves that Tan isn't trying to sell off CCFC's assets. If that were the case players would have been paraded around to potential suitors, for all we know other teams made enquiries (enquiries, not bids) about Manga, Jones, Mason etc. but they were told that they're not for sale under any circumstances. Perhaps we weren't tested by offers because the club didn't allow us to get in that position.

It's getting old that everything, even a positive such as keeping our key players, is being spun with anti-Tan propaganda.

I beg to differ, also Tan is not backing Slade as he should,Slade missed out a midfield player through lack of money.
Clubs honestly did not test us.
At this moment I have to admit Slade is improving the football and I am enjoying it again

And rightly so, in my eyes. We've splurged way too much money over the past few years and we need a few windows where we spend little money. We have a good team right now, whether we have strength in depth is yet to be seen, but I don't think spending money this summer was necessary.

But yes, the football is improving and it seems like the fans are starting to enjoy watching again, the players look like a weight has been lifted off their shoulders as well, onwards and upwards! If we're doing well come January you'd think we'd have a bit more cash made available?

The only people in this world who think Tan has football knowledge, are the one's walking round with their trousers pulled up under their f*cking armpits!!

LOL

Or the ones on his payroll

To be fair I think Tan is starting to get the hang of it and is learning from his mistakes.

Made me laugh this did cos Tan was f*cking clueless about the game but as said by some, Tan seems to have got to grips on football and there's big improvements within the club.

Hhhhmmmmm that touch of brown nosing didn't go down so well then Ken

Tan hasn't had the fire sale many on here said was going to happen. He's made sure we've kept hold of key players got rid of the dead wood and brought a little quality in.

People on here just cannot help themselves and love to dig at the bloke at any chance they get, he's made mistakes and gone back on them and put it right, things are looking up at last and the season has the making of a good one. Cut the negatives out for a change.

Norms,Ive always been honest with you,NO clubs came in with proper bIds,other than WBA,so we were not tested.

Total bollacks we were tested by wba over Marshall and if threads on this board are to be believed by s.Wednesday over Jones ,and by leeds over noone, and wolves over Mason ,plus im sure we were asked about many more who we don't know about

You believe everything you read on here?
Wolves 4mill for Mason? Must be be true if you read it. So naive.

Tan hasn't had the fire sale many on here said was going to happen. He's made sure we've kept hold of key players got rid of the dead wood and brought a little quality in.

People on here just cannot help themselves and love to dig at the bloke at any chance they get, he's made mistakes and gone back on them and put it right, things are looking up at last and the season has the making of a good one. Cut the negatives out for a change.

Norms,Ive always been honest with you,NO clubs came in with proper bIds,other than WBA,so we were not tested.

C'mon Annis....cheer up mun. None of us like Tan for what he did to us but to me it looks like the Club is starting to do things in the right way by being financially prudent. With gates of 15k we need to be!! I feel happier now than when Ole was splashing the cash on players who were not worth the transfer fees or the wages. None of us really know if Slade is the answer but at least he has got us fitter and playing with a better shape. To be fair to Tan he bankrolled Malky and Ole and where did that get us? You can't blame him for wanting to recoup some of his money and he could have sold Marshall but he didn't. We should all be grateful that he is staying.

Tan hasn't had the fire sale many on here said was going to happen. He's made sure we've kept hold of key players got rid of the dead wood and brought a little quality in.

People on here just cannot help themselves and love to dig at the bloke at any chance they get, he's made mistakes and gone back on them and put it right, things are looking up at last and the season has the making of a good one. Cut the negatives out for a change.

Norms,Ive always been honest with you,NO clubs came in with proper bIds,other than WBA,so we were not tested.

C'mon Annis....cheer up mun. None of us like Tan for what he did to us but to me it looks like the Club is starting to do things in the right way by being financially prudent. With gates of 15k we need to be!! I feel happier now than when Ole was splashing the cash on players who were not worth the transfer fees or the wages. None of us really know if Slade is the answer but at least he has got us fitter and playing with a better shape. To be fair to Tan he bankrolled Malky and Ole and where did that get us? You can't blame him for wanting to recoup some of his money and he could have sold Marshall but he didn't. We should all be grateful that he is staying.

Agree with most of this but lets see where we are in few months , January window may tell a different story - Guess it depends where we are in the league then