ANDREAS CORNELIUS :" PRICE TAG DOES NOT FAZE ME "

Monday 30/12/13

The Andreas Cornelius interview: Cardiff City striker insists £8m price tag does not weigh on his mind

Despite a difficult start to life at the Bluebirds, Danish striker Cornelius insists he still has a big future at the Welsh club

His name might well have become associated with Malky Mackay’s difficulties at Cardiff City – but Andreas Cornelius insists he still has a big future under the next Bluebirds manager.

As the Mackay era entered its death throes, it emerged that the club’s owner Vincent Tan was less than impressed with some of the Scot’s transfer dealings last summer, particularly the alleged overspend which first led to the departure of head of recruitment, Iain Moody, in October and then Mackay himself last week.

One of the most controversial transfers made in that period was the arrival of 20-year-old striker Cornelius from Danish club FC Copenhagen.

The June deal was for a then Cardiff club record fee of £8m, which reportedly could rise to a little under £11m.

Weekend reports suggested Cornelius had a signed a bumper £45,000 a week, five-year contract, whereas in Denmark he had previously been on £6,000 a week. Tan was later said to have questioned why such a huge pay rise was necessary.

Yet Cornelius is regarded as one of the best young striking talents to emerge from Scandinavia in a while and helped his home-town club to the Super Liga title last season. He was also named Denmark’s young player and player of the year at a recent awards ceremony.

But the marksman’s progress at Cardiff has been hampered by two ankle injuries following on from each other in quick succession.

Cornelius is yet to make a Premier League start and seven substitute appearances since his return to fitness have seen him play just over a match worth’s of total time.

He did manage the whole of the second half in Mackay’s last game, against Southampton on Boxing Day, but the Bluebirds already trailed 3-0 and Cornelius is still waiting for his first Cardiff goal.

But the striker insists he can still prove a hit with the Bluebirds and he said the hefty price tag around his neck puts extra pressure on him as he looks to get his Cardiff career well and truly on track.

Gallery: The A-Z of Cardiff City's chaotic 2013

“It does not matter” said Cornelius. “I just have to do my best. It is not the manager, it’s me.

“I need to do my best and show the new manager I am good enough to play. I don’t know who the new manager will be to be honest. We don’t talk about it.

“Everything has been all normal as it can be for us. It’s not been too difficult. I have not really thought about it too much.

“I know Malky Mackay is not here any more, but as players when you are out on the pitch you just do what you have to do.

“I am always someone who wants to prove himself. The price does not really affect me.

“I don’t care about the price tag my aim is just to do my best. I want to show the supporters what I am capable of and I am working towards that.

“I had my first 45 minutes against Southampton and it was difficult being 3-0 down, but I was happy to get on.

“It was difficult, but I worked hard and did what I could. I will always try my best for the team.

“It’s been frustrating to be out with the injuries, that’s for sure. When you come to a new club you do want to show what you can do right from the start.

“You want to show how good you are, but it’s very difficult with an injury and then you can’t get back into the side because there are so many good players ahead of you.

“I want show what I can, but I think I have to be patient.

“When I do get my chance though I have to grab it and do my very best.”

Cornelius’ last action saw him come off the bench late against Sunderland on Saturday, with Mackay’s former assistant David Kerslake in charge of the Bluebirds, who took a 2-0 lead over the Black Cats.

But Sunderland’s fightback – two goals in the final 10 minutes – meant City had to settle for a point and Cornelius admitted the players must take the blame for defending too deep late on and failing to keep the ball.

The point now sees Cardiff two points above the bottom three with half the Premier League season gone.

With the new year approaching, January looks a very tough month with away trips to Manchester City and Manchester United to come and a home game with fellow strugglers West Ham in between.

First up, though, is tomorrow’s New Year’s Day clash at the Emirates to face an Arsenal side currently sitting top of the table.

Cornelius is hoping to continue his Cardiff rehabilitation against the Gunners and said the squad must shake off the disappointment of the Sunderland game to face one of the biggest challenges of the season so far in north London.

“We wanted to beat Sunderland for our fans, but we conceded goals late on and are very disappointed,” he added.

“We defended too deeply and it became to easy for them to create chances.

“It was our own fault we should not have defended so deep and tried to keep the ball better.

“At home we want to win these games and we conceded a goal in over time which is so disappointing.

“Arsenal is going to be a tough game, they are a very good team.

Good luck to the guy. Think he's been harshly treated by Malky, and hopefully he can press on now. I don't doubt that the next manager will be told to play him more - Tan won't want to see all that money sitting on the bench.

The guy only has around 90 minutes of football to his name for us. If You wanted to judge our other new signings by their first competitive 90 minutes, I dare say every new signing who played at West Ham would be deemed a flop too. Give this kid a run in the team, and he'll score goals. I'm sure he and Campbell can form a good partnership, if given the chance.

I hinted as soon as we signed him I never thought he was good enough for the Premier League,after a friend of mine high up in Denmark nether rated him nor did the Jacks manager. I have watched every time he has played in first team games or Reserve games and yes its Malky's worst signing,all managers make mistakes and Cornelius was a very expensive one.

Honestly I feel he will not help us stay up in my opinion, but I still feel we would of stayed up without him under Malky.


We now need at least 3 new signings in January 2014.

I hinted as soon as we signed him I never thought he was good enough for the Premier League,after a friend of mine high up in Denmark nether rated him nor did the Jacks manager. I have watched every time he has played in first team games or Reserve games and yes its Malky's worst signing,all managers make mistakes and Cornelius was a very expensive one.

Honestly I feel he will not help us stay up in my opinion, but I still feel we would of stayed up without him under Malky.


We now need at least 3 new signings in January 2014.

Will we be stuck with him for the 5 years? No one will want to buy him, and why wud he leave when he's gettin paid 45 big ones per week

i doubt the danish dyson got nothing that fazes him whilst he hoovers up 45 bags a week on a 5 year term

Good luck to the guy. Think he's been harshly treated by Malky, and hopefully he can press on now. I don't doubt that the next manager will be told to play him more - Tan won't want to see all that money sitting on the bench.

The guy only has around 90 minutes of football to his name for us. If You wanted to judge our other new signings by their first competitive 90 minutes, I dare say every new signing who played at West Ham would be deemed a flop too. Give this kid a run in the team, and he'll score goals. I'm sure he and Campbell can form a good partnership, if given the chance.

our flops score goals

I hinted as soon as we signed him I never thought he was good enough for the Premier League,after a friend of mine high up in Denmark nether rated him nor did the Jacks manager. I have watched every time he has played in first team games or Reserve games and yes its Malky's worst signing,all managers make mistakes and Cornelius was a very expensive one.

Honestly I feel he will not help us stay up in my opinion, but I still feel we would of stayed up without him under Malky.


We now need at least 3 new signings in January 2014.

Will we be stuck with him for the 5 years? No one will want to buy him, and why wud he leave when he's gettin paid 45 big ones per week

Well not 100% sure how true the 45 big ones is.

I am on the same thinking as Annis here, this guy does not install confidence in me and I have seen nothing there to change my opinion. Absolutely nothing.

Might as well give him 90 against Arsenal.

We've got very little chance of a result either way and who knows, he may surprise us.

We all want to get behind the guy, but there's no point lying to ourselves when he clearly cannot cut it at prem level. Why he has not been sent on loan to a champ team I don't know

He has been out for months had very little time on the pitch, what would you expect him to be like with the minutes he has had playing so far this season, you cant even say he has had time to show us what he can do yet

He has been out for months had very little time on the pitch, what would you expect him to be like with the minutes he has had playing so far this season, you cant even say he has had time to show us what he can do yet

He's had full games for the DVP, i watched one game and he was utter garbage, couldn't kick a ball into a 50 ft wide goal. He has done nothing since to change my mind

I hinted as soon as we signed him I never thought he was good enough for the Premier League,after a friend of mine high up in Denmark nether rated him nor did the Jacks manager. I have watched every time he has played in first team games or Reserve games and yes its Malky's worst signing,all managers make mistakes and Cornelius was a very expensive one.

Honestly I feel he will not help us stay up in my opinion, but I still feel we would of stayed up without him under Malky.


We now need at least 3 new signings in January 2014.

Will we be stuck with him for the 5 years? No one will want to buy him, and why wud he leave when he's gettin paid 45 big ones per week

Well not 100% sure how true the 45 big ones is.

I am on the same thinking as Annis here, this guy does not install confidence in me and I have seen nothing there to change my opinion. Absolutely nothing.

I know the price tags are different ian but I can remember the abuse Jordan Mutch was getting when we signed him and he was struggling with that foot injury and look at him 18 months down the line.
Personally I will give him the rest of the season as he has played only 90 minutes of premier league football to date.

I hinted as soon as we signed him I never thought he was good enough for the Premier League,after a friend of mine high up in Denmark nether rated him nor did the Jacks manager. I have watched every time he has played in first team games or Reserve games and yes its Malky's worst signing,all managers make mistakes and Cornelius was a very expensive one.

Honestly I feel he will not help us stay up in my opinion, but I still feel we would of stayed up without him under Malky.


We now need at least 3 new signings in January 2014.

Pure nonsense, the guy will prove to be a great signing.

Every tom dick and harry harpers on as if he's shit, the guy is young and has raw talent, he's moved to a foreigh country, give the lad a break

Last edited by Wolfpac on Mon Dec 30, 2013 6:11 pm, edited 1 time in total.

He has been out for months had very little time on the pitch, what would you expect him to be like with the minutes he has had playing so far this season, you cant even say he has had time to show us what he can do yet

He's had full games for the DVP, i watched one game and he was utter garbage, couldn't kick a ball into a 50 ft wide goal. He has done nothing since to change my mind

Classic Cardiff fans jump all over a player before he is given a chance, not a full pre season, months off injured, new country give him a chance ffs

I hinted as soon as we signed him I never thought he was good enough for the Premier League,after a friend of mine high up in Denmark nether rated him nor did the Jacks manager. I have watched every time he has played in first team games or Reserve games and yes its Malky's worst signing,all managers make mistakes and Cornelius was a very expensive one.

Honestly I feel he will not help us stay up in my opinion, but I still feel we would of stayed up without him under Malky.


We now need at least 3 new signings in January 2014.

Will we be stuck with him for the 5 years? No one will want to buy him, and why wud he leave when he's gettin paid 45 big ones per week

Well not 100% sure how true the 45 big ones is.

I am on the same thinking as Annis here, this guy does not install confidence in me and I have seen nothing there to change my opinion. Absolutely nothing.

I know the price tags are different ian but I can remember the abuse Jordan Mutch was getting when we signed him and he was struggling with that foot injury and look at him 18 months down the line.
Personally I will give him the rest of the season as he has played only 90 minutes of premier league football to date.

Im with you, its too early to dismiss him as a failure or rubbish. He was tracked by many top clubs, he has potential which given time could turn into a Premiership player. Unfortunately, he wasn't the right fit for Cardiff under the present circumstances, where he needs plenty of time to develop, massive arrogance was shown by Malky in signing him.

I hinted as soon as we signed him I never thought he was good enough for the Premier League,after a friend of mine high up in Denmark nether rated him nor did the Jacks manager. I have watched every time he has played in first team games or Reserve games and yes its Malky's worst signing,all managers make mistakes and Cornelius was a very expensive one.

Honestly I feel he will not help us stay up in my opinion, but I still feel we would of stayed up without him under Malky.


We now need at least 3 new signings in January 2014.

Will we be stuck with him for the 5 years? No one will want to buy him, and why wud he leave when he's gettin paid 45 big ones per week

Well not 100% sure how true the 45 big ones is.

I am on the same thinking as Annis here, this guy does not install confidence in me and I have seen nothing there to change my opinion. Absolutely nothing.

I know the price tags are different ian but I can remember the abuse Jordan Mutch was getting when we signed him and he was struggling with that foot injury and look at him 18 months down the line.
Personally I will give him the rest of the season as he has played only 90 minutes of premier league football to date.

Steve, Fair play to Malky, He said from day one Mutch is a class player for the future and I believe this is starting to show in Mutch's performances

He has been out for months had very little time on the pitch, what would you expect him to be like with the minutes he has had playing so far this season, you cant even say he has had time to show us what he can do yet

He's had full games for the DVP, i watched one game and he was utter garbage, couldn't kick a ball into a 50 ft wide goal. He has done nothing since to change my mind

Classic Cardiff fans jump all over a player before he is given a chance, not a full pre season, months off injured, new country give him a chance ffs

He's shit, you are either clues about football or need specs

I hinted as soon as we signed him I never thought he was good enough for the Premier League,after a friend of mine high up in Denmark nether rated him nor did the Jacks manager. I have watched every time he has played in first team games or Reserve games and yes its Malky's worst signing,all managers make mistakes and Cornelius was a very expensive one.

Honestly I feel he will not help us stay up in my opinion, but I still feel we would of stayed up without him under Malky.


We now need at least 3 new signings in January 2014.

Will we be stuck with him for the 5 years? No one will want to buy him, and why wud he leave when he's gettin paid 45 big ones per week

Well not 100% sure how true the 45 big ones is.

I am on the same thinking as Annis here, this guy does not install confidence in me and I have seen nothing there to change my opinion. Absolutely nothing.

I know the price tags are different ian but I can remember the abuse Jordan Mutch was getting when we signed him and he was struggling with that foot injury and look at him 18 months down the line.
Personally I will give him the rest of the season as he has played only 90 minutes of premier league football to date.

Lads I'm with you he does look a bit of a duff signing but I've just watched the you tube vids of him again and he looks quality! I know the Danish league is not the premiership or anywhere near but the finishing,speed,touch and movement of the kid looks great.

I think he's probably had every bit of confidence knocked out of him with the injury and not being picked, like I said I agree he could be a bad signing but I feel more positive that he will prove us wrong!

He has been out for months had very little time on the pitch, what would you expect him to be like with the minutes he has had playing so far this season, you cant even say he has had time to show us what he can do yet

He's had full games for the DVP, i watched one game and he was utter garbage, couldn't kick a ball into a 50 ft wide goal. He has done nothing since to change my mind

Classic Cardiff fans jump all over a player before he is given a chance, not a full pre season, months off injured, new country give him a chance ffs

He's shit, you are either clues about football or need specs

As I said classic Cardiff fan, got to give him a chance. to say he is shit tells me that you are the clueless one

He has been out for months had very little time on the pitch, what would you expect him to be like with the minutes he has had playing so far this season, you cant even say he has had time to show us what he can do yet

He's had full games for the DVP, i watched one game and he was utter garbage, couldn't kick a ball into a 50 ft wide goal. He has done nothing since to change my mind

Classic Cardiff fans jump all over a player before he is given a chance, not a full pre season, months off injured, new country give him a chance ffs

He's shit, you are either clues about football or need specs

You're thick as shit fella, need to wake up and stop sucking cock !!

His movement off the ball looks very poor, he struggles to get into the correct positions, does not run the lines as good as Campbell and looks slow. He also has a very poor touch and from what I have seen is shooting is terrible. I watch him before every game warm up shooting, at one game me and the boys counted 18 missed shots before he managed to get one on target. He is well and truly an A class dud.

I hinted as soon as we signed him I never thought he was good enough for the Premier League,after a friend of mine high up in Denmark nether rated him nor did the Jacks manager. I have watched every time he has played in first team games or Reserve games and yes its Malky's worst signing,all managers make mistakes and Cornelius was a very expensive one.

Honestly I feel he will not help us stay up in my opinion, but I still feel we would of stayed up without him under Malky.


We now need at least 3 new signings in January 2014.

Will we be stuck with him for the 5 years? No one will want to buy him, and why wud he leave when he's gettin paid 45 big ones per week

Well not 100% sure how true the 45 big ones is.

I am on the same thinking as Annis here, this guy does not install confidence in me and I have seen nothing there to change my opinion. Absolutely nothing.

I know the price tags are different ian but I can remember the abuse Jordan Mutch was getting when we signed him and he was struggling with that foot injury and look at him 18 months down the line.
Personally I will give him the rest of the season as he has played only 90 minutes of premier league football to date.

Steve, Fair play to Malky, He said from day one Mutch is a class player for the future and I believe this is starting to show in Mutch's performances

He said the same about Velonkya too and pretty much the same about Gestedde, who he gave a new contract to, when every man and his dog could see that Rudy, should never, ever be anywhere near the Premiership

i doubt the danish dyson got nothing that fazes him whilst he hoovers up 45 bags a week on a 5 year term

How much did Andy Pansy cost????

And how are your centre Halfs

Lads I'm with you he does look a bit of a duff signing but I've just watched the you tube vids of him again and he looks quality! I know the Danish league is not the premiership or anywhere near but the finishing,speed,touch and movement of the kid looks great.

I think he's probably had every bit of confidence knocked out of him with the injury and not being picked, like I said I agree he could be a bad signing but I feel more positive that he will prove us wrong!

Hopefully the videos are a better representation of his skills than we have seen so far. He's tall and looks like he had much success on crosses with his headers. The videos also don't make him appear as slow as he has with CCFC. He's here for awhile so hopefully things improve for him.

I hinted as soon as we signed him I never thought he was good enough for the Premier League,after a friend of mine high up in Denmark nether rated him nor did the Jacks manager. I have watched every time he has played in first team games or Reserve games and yes its Malky's worst signing,all managers make mistakes and Cornelius was a very expensive one.

Honestly I feel he will not help us stay up in my opinion, but I still feel we would of stayed up without him under Malky.


We now need at least 3 new signings in January 2014.

Will we be stuck with him for the 5 years? No one will want to buy him, and why wud he leave when he's gettin paid 45 big ones per week

Well not 100% sure how true the 45 big ones is.

I am on the same thinking as Annis here, this guy does not install confidence in me and I have seen nothing there to change my opinion. Absolutely nothing.

I know the price tags are different ian but I can remember the abuse Jordan Mutch was getting when we signed him and he was struggling with that foot injury and look at him 18 months down the line.
Personally I will give him the rest of the season as he has played only 90 minutes of premier league football to date.

Jordan struggled but showed potential and did actually score a few goals.

This Cornelious guy has he made a pass yet?

I hinted as soon as we signed him I never thought he was good enough for the Premier League,after a friend of mine high up in Denmark nether rated him nor did the Jacks manager. I have watched every time he has played in first team games or Reserve games and yes its Malky's worst signing,all managers make mistakes and Cornelius was a very expensive one.

Honestly I feel he will not help us stay up in my opinion, but I still feel we would of stayed up without him under Malky.


We now need at least 3 new signings in January 2014.

Will we be stuck with him for the 5 years? No one will want to buy him, and why wud he leave when he's gettin paid 45 big ones per week

Well not 100% sure how true the 45 big ones is.

I am on the same thinking as Annis here, this guy does not install confidence in me and I have seen nothing there to change my opinion. Absolutely nothing.

I know the price tags are different ian but I can remember the abuse Jordan Mutch was getting when we signed him and he was struggling with that foot injury and look at him 18 months down the line.
Personally I will give him the rest of the season as he has played only 90 minutes of premier league football to date.

Jordan struggled but showed potential and did actually score a few goals.

This Cornelious guy has he made a pass yet?

In fairness ian he only comes on mainly for the last ten minutes and you know it's club policy to fine a midfielder two weeks wages if he crosses the halfway line into the oppositions half after 80 minutes
As John Lennon would say is " all we are saying is give corny a chance "
Happy new year to you and your family ian

Maybe the price tag SHOULD faze him a bit. Or at least make him buck up his ideas. Throughout the whole interview he comes across as not giving much of a shit.

gawwd u lot are gonna look like a lot of chumps when he comes good, which I am sure he will. The lads had a bad ankle injury and has hardly had any playing time at all since. I prefer to reserve judgement. I can remember everyone moaning about how much a dud Kim was when we bought him, look at him now.

Shame goals faze him

Might as well give him 90 against Arsenal.

We've got very little chance of a result either way and who knows, he may surprise us.

Maybe but, he's not too nimble on defensive duties.

Would be a nice luxury for us to keep him up top to chase some hoof balls but, the reality is that we'll need Campbell's work rate to track up and down.