' Cardiff City value for money signings? '

Cardiff City's best and worst signings in a Premier League season that promised so much but delivered so little - Paul Abbandonato.

Wednesday Apr 30, 2014

BY PAUL ABBANDONATO


After spending their respective Premier League 'war-chests' neither Cardiff City manager Malky Mackay or Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could steer them clear of the bottom end of the Premier League. Paul Abbandonato looks at the hits and misses.

Between them, Malky Mackay and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer signed an entire team of players for Cardiff City’s historic Premier League campaign.

The upshot? Almost certain relegation at the first time of asking. Something, evidently, has gone horrendously wrong.

Mackay was handed an unprecedented transfer war-chest for a Bluebirds manager, three times being given cheques by Vincent Tan to break the club record.
Steven Caulker aside, none of his summer captures have offered real value for money.

No, not even Gary Medel. Lots of Cardiff fans rate him highly and there is no doubt the Chilean international - who I expect to be a star at the World Cup - has been a bundle of energy, bringing bite and composure to the Bluebirds midfield and doing his best to protect the over-worked back four.

But for a reported £11m fee, should Mackay not have been targeting a more creative figure who can score and create goals?

Wilfried Bony, with 24 goals to his name, only cost Michael Laudrup £12m at pretty much the same time. That’s what you call value for money.

Once bitten twice shy, Tan was more circumspect in the sums afforded to Solskjaer to spend during the January transfer window.

Again though, the jury has to be out on the success of the seven new faces he brought in to supposedly get the Bluebirds climbing back up the League.

Here’s my take on how the club’s new signings have rated:




ANDREAS CORNELIUS (£8m from FC Copenhagen)

Mackay smashed the Bluebirds transfer record to land the big Danish striker. Here was the man, we hoped, who would score the goals to get Cardiff thriving in the Premier League.

A grand total of 11 games (most of them cameo appearances) and zero goals on, the Bluebirds cut their losses and Cornelius was sold back to FC Copenhagen.

My verdict: The worst bit of transfer business in the club’s history, just about eclipsing the Bluebirds’ barmy decision to sell Aaron Ramsey for just £5m with no sell-on clause.

Value for money: 0 (out of 10)

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STEVEN CAULKER (£8m from Tottenham):

One of the few Bluebirds to really enhance his credentials during this Premier League season of woe. Caulker signed, for a new club record fee, shortly after Cornelius,

Made club skipper, despite the Bluebirds’ struggles down at the bottom he earned a recall to the England squad. Quick, decisive in the tackle. comfortable on the ball, were it not for him and David Marshall Cardiff would have been down and out weeks ago.

My verdict: Considering his still tender age, Caulker has been a colossus at times. Even if Cardiff are relegated, expect the Bluebirds to more than recoup their fee for him by selling Caulker.

Value for money: 8 (out of 10)






JOHN BRAYFORD (£1.5m from Derby)

Another Mackay capture who came here amid some suggestions he was the best right-back in the Championship.

Hard to say if he could cut the mustard in the Premier League because he only got a couple of Capital One Cup matches before being farmed onto Sheffield United. Where, in League One, he has done well.

My verdict: I was never convinced by Brayford, believing Cardiff needed to sign TWO experienced full-backs who had been there, seen it, done it in the top flight.

Value for money: 0 (out of 10)

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GARY MEDEL (£11m from Sevilla):

Whether you believe it’s £9m, £11m or even a £16m package, it is generally accepted that Cardiff smashed their transfer record for the third time in the space of a few weeks by signing Medel.

Began like a house on fire, offering a tenacity and calmness on the ball to the midfield that was badly needed against the country’s finest. But has faded recently... and, rightly or wrongly, question marks are being asked:

My verdict: Medel’s worth will split the fan base, Some won’t have a bad word said about him. Others, and I’m in this camp, believe for that huge fee, Cardiff should have signed a more creative figure. No goals and just one assist.

Value for money: 5 (out of 10)




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KEVIN THEOPHILE-CATHERINE (£2m from Rennes):

Mackay raved about his capture from French football and at times Theophile has looked the best right-back the Bluebirds have had since the swashbuckling days of Mark Delaney.

But then he has off days too, badly at fault with goals. Like the two conceded to Connor Wickham at Sunderland.

My verdict: The jury is still out a little on this one, but Theo has done well at times at full-back and centre-half.

Value for money: 5 (out of 10)

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PETER ODEMWINGIE (£2.5m from West Brom):

Two goals in his first three matches made us think, momentarily, Odemwingie could be a real capture.

Sadly, the goals quickly faded and he parted company as part of a swap deal involving the arrival of Kenwyne Jones.

Odemwingie seemed to blame Mackay for his lack of success, arguing the tactics of the former manager were more suited to the Championship than the Premier League.

My verdict: Odemwingie has done well at Stoke, but the truth is he flattered to deceive with Cardiff.

Value for money: 4 (out of 10)

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MAGNUS WOLFF EIKREM (£2m from Heerenveen):

The first of the Ole Gunnar Solskjaer January captures, the Norwegian international was signed to help the Bluebirds play more of a passing game.

Looks neat and tidy, but then quickly faded from the first XI picture when it became clear he wasn’t what was required for the hurly-burly of a relegation battle.

My verdict: Could yet have a big role to play with Cardiff in the Championship, but thus far hasn’t set the world on fire.

Value for money: 4 (out of 10)

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MATS MOLLER DAEHLI (£2.5m from Molde)

The Norwegian teenager has been the one shining light in recent weeks, looking the best young prospect the Bluebirds have had since Aaron Ramsey first burst onto the scene.

Rarely gives the ball away, can twist and turn left or right, once he brings more directness to his game - which will lead to Cardiff goals - Solskjaer will be credited with finding a real gem.

My verdict: Daehli is already worth at least treble the sum Cardiff paid for him. His stock will rise further, too.

Value for money: 8 (out of 10)

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JO-INGE BERGET (£2.5m from Molde):

The third of Solskjaer’s Norwegian signings and the one who, thus far at least, has made the least impact.

Limited to an FA Cup game against Wigan, which Cardiff lost, and a substitute appearance against Hull when Solskajer’s side were already 4-0 down.

My verdict: Like Eikrem, let’s hope there is a lot more to come. Barely seen thus far.

Value for money: 2 (out of 10)





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KENWYNE JONES (swap deal from Stoke)

Big Kenwyne, we hoped, was to be the centre-forward success Andreas Cornelius most definitely wasn’t.

Started well enough with the winning goal on his debut against Norwich, but has struggled to hit those heights since.

My verdict: Didn’t cost a fee, but salary wise won’t be on a pittance. Many believe Stoke had the better value of a swap deal involving Peter Odemwingie.

Value for money: 3 (out of 10)





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FABIO (undisclosed fee from Manchester United):

The opposite to big Kenwyne in as much as he started awfully, but has got better and better and better. Anyone who has come from Old Trafford, and played for Brazil, simply couldn’t be as bad as Fabio first seemed.

With game time, has settled more into his full-back role. Still suspect defensively, but a lot more assured these days than was first the case.

My verdict: Has cut back a little on his forays forward to offer more solidity, which is his first port of call as a full-back.

Value for money: 6 (out of 10)





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WILFRIED ZAHA (loan deal from Manchester United):

Has there been a more disappointing signing in recent times? Zaha, a £10million Manchester United man, came here with the X-Factor, the wing wizard with the pace and flair to create and score goals against even the best defenders.

Very fleetingly, we have seen glimpses of his genius. He single-handedly rallied the team on his debut against Norwich. He went on a wonder run and almost scored against Southampton... the type of mazy dribble at high speed, when you’re being kicked to smithereens, very few footballers can produce.

But at other times Zaha has been anonymous.

My verdict: Under-utilised by Solskjaer is one argument. The counter is he hasn’t done enough to justify selection.

Value for money: 4 (out of 10)

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JUAN CALA (free from Sevilla):

In the space of a week the Spaniard experienced the highs and lows of Premier League football. Winning goal and idol status at Southampton was followed by red card and villain of the piece at Sunderland.

That error was similar to one made against Luis Suarez and Liverpool, but at least he’s not just hoofing the ball away the whole time and giving away goals and possession that way.

My verdict: Must cut out the errors. Whether he is suited to the rough and tumble of the Championship will be open to question, but as a free signing has offered something for nothing.

Value for money: 7 (out of 10)

No problem with the guy holding his opinion with signings. But i really think he should spend more than 30 seconds researching those figures

why does he have jo inge berget at 2.5 mil even ole said that he was signed for peanuts he was out of contract at the summer and only cost about 250k not 2.5 mil poor journalism

Annis genuine question we all know you liked Malky and that in your opinion he would have kept us up, But be honest what did you think of is signings and for once you cant blame tan for these

If he had a clue about the Ramsey situation he would know we got paid the 5 million in one payment as opposed to the normal payment over three years.
It was because the club were in dire financial straits that the deal was done that way. Crap journalism as per usual

How is Odemwingie a 4 but Jones a 3 they have both been shit. Some of these figure are off as well

Simon Moore - 0
Maximillicrap - 0
I would also rate KTCrap as a 0

Would definitely rate KTC lower. The amount of points he has cost us this season is ridiculous.

Also, has the journalist just decided to make up those figures? They're a load of bollocks

How the hell can he say Daehli is worth 3 time what we paid for him but gave him an eight for value for money....WTF

The other 8/10 Caulker noy worth 3 times what we paid....

Waste of words the whole article

Daehli the same as Caulker for VFM



The kid will go on to be the clubs record sale FFS and he cost peanuts compared to Captain Invisible.

Caulker - 5/10
Medel - 3/10
Odemwingie - 1/10
KTC - 3/10
Brayford - 0/10
Cornelius - 0/10
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Jones - 1/10
Eikrem - 4/10
Daehli - 9/10
Zaha - 2/10
Fabio - 6/10

Havent seen enough of Moore, the Uruguayan kid, or Berget to give them a mark.

Caulker - 5/10
Medel - 3/10
Odemwingie - 1/10
KTC - 3/10
Brayford - 0/10
Cornelius - 0/10
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Jones - 1/10
Eikrem - 4/10
Daehli - 9/10
Zaha - 2/10
Fabio - 6/10

Havent seen enough of Moore, the Uruguayan kid, or Berget to give them a mark.

Pretty much agree with that except for Caulker.
Surely value for money means the player would have to have a good season & be sold on for the same or more than what was paid?
I can't see a loss being made on Caulker who, for me, has had a great season playing alongside some very poor players eg Taylor, KTC & Turner.

Each to their own. I dont think hes a had a "great" season I think hes been OK in parts but has shown no leadership for a captain and has been at fault for plenty of goals.

For me, we could have got a centre half in for half the money we paid for Caulker and done just as good a job, hence the middle of the road mark.

Each to their own. I dont think hes a had a "great" season I think hes been OK in parts but has shown no leadership for a captain and has been at fault for plenty of goals.

For me, we could have got a centre half in for half the money we paid for Caulker and done just as good a job, hence the middle of the road mark.

Fair point mate but don't you think if we make money on him won't he then be VFM?

Each to their own. I dont think hes a had a "great" season I think hes been OK in parts but has shown no leadership for a captain and has been at fault for plenty of goals.

For me, we could have got a centre half in for half the money we paid for Caulker and done just as good a job, hence the middle of the road mark.

Fair point mate but don't you think if we make money on him won't he then be VFM?

Hmmm. Yes and no.

If we dont lose money on him thats obviously a good thing, but then he hasnt performed to a level that justifies paying 9m or so for him especially when you consider that money could have been used better elsewhere.

We talk about the rubbish players alongside him, and I accept that with better players he would be better, but why the likes of Turner and Taylor are still in the team is maybe as a result of paying so much money for Caulker.

Hull City managed to improve their keeper, defence, and bought Tom Huddlestone for what we paid for Caulker. Thats why I dont really think weve had value out of him.

why does he have jo inge berget at 2.5 mil even ole said that he was signed for peanuts he was out of contract at the summer and only cost about 250k not 2.5 mil poor journalism

Yeah those figures are off.Berget would have been the cheapest of the Norwegians, daehli was known as a big talent way before he came here ( even if Paul abbowhatever never heard of him ) eikrem is an established international (Berget is not and they are the same age)for Norway Also read somewhere that Fabio was 1.5 extremely unlikely that berget cost more than someone who played in the champions league.

why does he have jo inge berget at 2.5 mil even ole said that he was signed for peanuts he was out of contract at the summer and only cost about 250k not 2.5 mil poor journalism

Yeah those figures are off.Berget would have been the cheapest of the Norwegians, daehli was known as a big talent way before he came here ( even if Paul abbowhatever never heard of him ) eikrem is an established international (Berget is not and they are the same age)for Norway Also read somewhere that Fabio was 1.5 extremely unlikely that berget cost more than someone who played in the champions league.

I read somewhere OGS spent 6m in total, which after the sales of Cornelius, Conway and Gestede made his net spend very little.

Don't think we paid that much for Daehli either, I'm sure someone at the time said the fee was around £900k. Absolute steal if that is the case.

Don't think we paid that much for Daehli either, I'm sure someone at the time said the fee was around £900k. Absolute steal if that is the case.

I'm sure he paid 300k for matts

Don't think we paid that much for Daehli either, I'm sure someone at the time said the fee was around £900k. Absolute steal if that is the case.

I'm sure he paid 300k for matts

Molds payed 1.5 for mats in the summer of 2013. He played 12 matches for them, was young player of the year in the Norwegian league and made his international debut on senior level. I doubt his price then dropped to 300k. 300k was more likely berget, whose contract was almost up.
http://www.tribalfootball.com/articles/ ... li-3967218

Don't think we paid that much for Daehli either, I'm sure someone at the time said the fee was around £900k. Absolute steal if that is the case.

I'm sure he paid 300k for matts

Molds payed 1.5 for mats in the summer of 2013. He played 12 matches for them, was young player of the year in the Norwegian league and made his international debut on senior level. I doubt his price then dropped to 300k. 300k was more likely berget, whose contract was almost up.
http://www.tribalfootball.com/articles/ ... li-3967218

Im sorry mate, that is wrong. Molde payed 350k for Daehli with a buy back clause and benefits from sales.

Don't think we paid that much for Daehli either, I'm sure someone at the time said the fee was around £900k. Absolute steal if that is the case.

I'm sure he paid 300k for matts

Molds payed 1.5 for mats in the summer of 2013. He played 12 matches for them, was young player of the year in the Norwegian league and made his international debut on senior level. I doubt his price then dropped to 300k. 300k was more likely berget, whose contract was almost up.
http://www.tribalfootball.com/articles/ ... li-3967218

Im sorry mate, that is wrong. Molde payed 350k for Daehli with a buy back clause and benefits from sales.

so molde payed 350k and we payed even less? That doesn't make much sense to me. It was widely reported that they payed 1.5, can you provide a source for your figure? I have read several places that he cost us 2.5.
Worth noting that Ogs said he didn't want to disclose how much they payed to not put any further pressure on the lad. Didn't sound like they payed peanuts for him. About Berget he said his contract was up and we payed peanuts. It's pretty obvious Berger came for next to nothing and daehli was a bit more costly, he is still good value though as he will only get better

Don't think we paid that much for Daehli either, I'm sure someone at the time said the fee was around £900k. Absolute steal if that is the case.

I'm sure he paid 300k for matts

Molds payed 1.5 for mats in the summer of 2013. He played 12 matches for them, was young player of the year in the Norwegian league and made his international debut on senior level. I doubt his price then dropped to 300k. 300k was more likely berget, whose contract was almost up.
http://www.tribalfootball.com/articles/ ... li-3967218

Im sorry mate, that is wrong. Molde payed 350k for Daehli with a buy back clause and benefits from sales.

so molde payed 350k and we payed even less? That doesn't make much sense to me. It was widely reported that they payed 1.5, can you provide a source for your figure? I have read several places that he cost us 2.5.
Worth noting that Ogs said he didn't want to disclose how much they payed to not put any further pressure on the lad. Didn't sound like they payed peanuts for him. About Berget he said his contract was up and we payed peanuts. It's pretty obvious Berger came for next to nothing and daehli was a bit more costly, he is still good value though as he will only get better

Sure mate, got the figures from here http://www.abcnyheter.no/nyheter/sport/ ... ippeligaen. I don't understand what the whole article is about, but it says Molde payed 3,5 mill Norwegian kroner, which would translate to 350 k. If remember correctly Ole said in the interview with supporter clubs after the trust meting Cardiff payed 500k for him. Can't find it again though..

Caulker - 7/10
Medel - 3/10
Odemwingie - 1/10
KTC - 4/10 (should be a third backup)
Brayford - -/10 (never seen him)
Cornelius - 0/10
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Jones - 3/10
Eikrem - 6/10 (was fairly cheap, will be good next season)
Daehli - 10/10 (You simply can't do better than this on the transfer market)
Zaha - 2/10 (Not done much)
Fabio - 7/10 (Started rough but has grown a lot)
Berget - 7/10 (signed for just 330K and can tear apart the Championship if Cardiff does relegate. Architect of most DVP chances when playing.)

Don't think we paid that much for Daehli either, I'm sure someone at the time said the fee was around £900k. Absolute steal if that is the case.

I'm sure he paid 300k for matts

Molds payed 1.5 for mats in the summer of 2013. He played 12 matches for them, was young player of the year in the Norwegian league and made his international debut on senior level. I doubt his price then dropped to 300k. 300k was more likely berget, whose contract was almost up.
http://www.tribalfootball.com/articles/ ... li-3967218

Im sorry mate, that is wrong. Molde payed 350k for Daehli with a buy back clause and benefits from sales.

so molde payed 350k and we payed even less? That doesn't make much sense to me. It was widely reported that they payed 1.5, can you provide a source for your figure? I have read several places that he cost us 2.5.
Worth noting that Ogs said he didn't want to disclose how much they payed to not put any further pressure on the lad. Didn't sound like they payed peanuts for him. About Berget he said his contract was up and we payed peanuts. It's pretty obvious Berger came for next to nothing and daehli was a bit more costly, he is still good value though as he will only get better

Sure mate, got the figures from here http://www.abcnyheter.no/nyheter/sport/ ... ippeligaen. I don't understand what the whole article is about, but it says Molde payed 3,5 mill Norwegian kroner, which would translate to 350 k. If remember correctly Ole said in the interview with supporter clubs after the trust meting Cardiff payed 500k for him. Can't find it again though..

cheers!
According to Google translate: Says he transferred to molds for 350, then transferred to cardiff for 3 mill, some of the transfer Money went to Manu. The article appears to be about how molde made a huge profit because he only played a few matches before he was sold at such a profit. Not sure if it's correct because British media consistently reported a much higher figure when he went to molde. Possibly 350 was the first instalment and the 1.5 figure in British media is correct? Idk either way we clearly didn't pay 300k for him if the Norwegians are saying he was so profitable to molde. Hopefully he can be as profitable to cardiff

That article is nonsense for fees, like hell would we pay 1.5m for Fabio when his contract was up in the summer, at most it would be 750k, maybe not even that. Mats was 500k.
Ole's signing will be more prepared for the Championship, I see talent in Eikrem who has been mentioned in here as a Norweigan international although his time out of the side won't do him any favours but looking forward to seeing him in the Championship. Berget I haven't seen enough of but maybe he can surprise me

when looking for value for money, need to look at what they cost and the wages, id go with this...


Caulker - 8/10 - been one of our better players, although still not great, but i doubt we will lose any money on him next season.
Medel - 4/10 - has had some terrific games, but not fit enough which is startling for someone who was 11m and circa 30k a week. when we sell we are going to lose 2,3 or more million on just his transfer fee.

Brayford N/A - Didnt cost much, i imagine we arent paying most of his wages, and still (might) eventually turn out to be a decent signing.

KTC - 5/10 - Truly awful football player who has no business calling himself a defender. if judging his performances he would get much lower than this, but there is a decent chance we can sell him for 2m back to France so wouldnt have cost us much.

Odemwinge - 4/10 - Could have been good for us, certainly wasnt a poor buy... just not used correctly, the money we paid for him helped us get......

Kenywn Jones 2/10 - as it was a player swap, Kenwyn effectively cost us 2.5m and 37k a week, we have little to no chance of offloading him next season, would need to score 20 in the championship to justify that wage.

Eikrem 5/10 - Done basically nothing for us, but didnt cost much, and i cant imagine his wages are that high, also looks a neat and tidy player who could be a regular next season

Berget 0/10 - Who? what was the point in this one?? Should get a N/A really, but this signing baffles me.

Daehli - 10/10 has to be the maximum surely, should rip the championship a new one and puts 15m rated Zaha to shame, whatever we paid for him we can at least treble i think

Fabio - 7/10 - Probably on a lot of wages, but i dont think he cost a fortune, has looked really up for it the last few games to be fair, and should be fantastic in the championship, certainly has the energy for it.

Corneilius - 0/10 - Cost us 8m, and another 1m in wages, sold 5 months later for 3m... oh dear!

when looking for value for money, need to look at what they cost and the wages, id go with this...


Caulker - 8/10 - been one of our better players, although still not great, but i doubt we will lose any money on him next season.
Medel - 4/10 - has had some terrific games, but not fit enough which is startling for someone who was 11m and circa 30k a week. when we sell we are going to lose 2,3 or more million on just his transfer fee.

Brayford N/A - Didnt cost much, i imagine we arent paying most of his wages, and still (might) eventually turn out to be a decent signing.

KTC - 5/10 - Truly awful football player who has no business calling himself a defender. if judging his performances he would get much lower than this, but there is a decent chance we can sell him for 2m back to France so wouldnt have cost us much.

Odemwinge - 4/10 - Could have been good for us, certainly wasnt a poor buy... just not used correctly, the money we paid for him helped us get......

Kenywn Jones 2/10 - as it was a player swap, Kenwyn effectively cost us 2.5m and 37k a week, we have little to no chance of offloading him next season, would need to score 20 in the championship to justify that wage.

Eikrem 5/10 - Done basically nothing for us, but didnt cost much, and i cant imagine his wages are that high, also looks a neat and tidy player who could be a regular next season

Berget 0/10 - Who? what was the point in this one?? Should get a N/A really, but this signing baffles me.

Daehli - 10/10 has to be the maximum surely, should rip the championship a new one and puts 15m rated Zaha to shame, whatever we paid for him we can at least treble i think

Fabio - 7/10 - Probably on a lot of wages, but i dont think he cost a fortune, has looked really up for it the last few games to be fair, and should be fantastic in the championship, certainly has the energy for it.

Corneilius - 0/10 - Cost us 8m, and another 1m in wages, sold 5 months later for 3m... oh dear!

I would rate Berget 10/10

Am I the only one that would have kept Cornelius and given him time?.

Am I the only one that would have kept Cornelius and given him time?.

yes