" Joe Ledley Return possible "

Joe Ledley could make sensational Cardiff City return... but not just yet


Monday 18 MAY 2015


BY TERRY PHILLIPS

The Bluebirds will keep a dialogue open with Crystal Palace and Ledley's representatives,with the Welsh club keen to bring him home.

Joe Ledley could be set to return to Cardiff City... but not just yet.

We understand manager Russell Slade would love to add Ledley to his Championship squad for 2015-16 and has been monitoring the Cardiff-born midfield player’s situation at Crystal Palace.

A source at Cardiff City said: “It would be great to bring Joe Ledley back, but it’s not the right time because he is doing well at Premier League level with Palace.

“We wish him all the best and will maintain a watching brief.”

Joe Ledley celebrates his play-off final goal against BlackpoolJoe Ledley celebrates his play-off final goal against Blackpool in 2010
Ledley has two years left on his contract, and Palace and his representatives have made it clear he wants to stay in the Premier League.

However, Ledley’s camp have also indicated that he would love to play for his home city club again in the future - and Cardiff will keep dialogue channels open.

Palace are keen to keep Ledley in their Premier League squad, and if he did move West Brom are among clubs keen to keep him at the top level.

Ledley, from the Fairwater area of Cardiff, spent 15 years with the club, progressing through the youth ranks from the age of nine.

The 28-year-old central midfield player made more than 250 first team appearances for the Bluebirds, scoring in the 2008 Championship play-off final defeat against Blackpool and the winning goal against Barnsley in their 2008 FA Cup semi-final victory against Barnsley at Wembley Stadium.


Ledley signed for Scottish Premier League Celtic during the summer of 2010, leaving Cardiff City for nothing because he was out of contract.

Wolves, Everton, Stoke City, West Ham and Wigan were all keen on signing Ledley, with bids of up to £6m, but he stayed with the Bluebirds until his contract ran out.

The Wales international, who captained Cardiff at the age of 21, won the Scottish Premier League title with Celtic and moved south to join Palace during January 2014.

He has made 49 first team appearances for the London club, helping them to 12th place and safety in Premier League football.

Ledley looks certain to stay with Palace next season, but Cardiff will stay in touch with his representatives over the next couple of years.

though unlikely for now, would you like to see him back?

28 now bloody hell time fly's.

Looks like we'll get him back when he's past it. Reminds me of penalty ace Bodin who offered to come back to us when he was with Swindon. But only when he was washed up of course and there were no other takers. Thankfully we declined and I hope we do the same with ledley.

Looks like we'll get him back when he's past it. Reminds me of penalty ace Bodin who offered to come back to us when he was with Swindon. But only when he was washed up of course and there were no other takers. Thankfully we declined and I hope we do the same with ledley.

Pity we didn't do the same with Gabbidon.

Loved Danny when he was here first time but last season was a waste of time and money which could have been better used elsewhere.

If Joe does come back let's hope it's whilst he still has something to offer.

For Gabbidon read David Giles And the great Brian Clark. Most players are never the same when they return to former clubs. And especially if that Club is Cardiff City.

Ledley has a 96.2% pass accuracy yesterday and is in the form of his life, unsung hero of the Welsh NT

Great player. He will play really well in a team with Dwight Gale and, possibly Dirk Kuyt.....unfortunately ,that team is Palace!

Sorry but if he's going to wait until his mid 30's before "coming home".. thanks but no thanks. He can go look for a lucrative last contract elsewhere

I have not been a great fan of Palace but fair play, they play some great football. Powerful and strong, quick and athletic players.

They are everything sadly City are not and 2 seasons ago we were streets ahead of them.

Oh yes forgot the topic, I'd have Ledley back like a shot. But I question whether he'd be as effective with us as he is with Palace given the quality in their team.

Looks like we'll get him back when he's past it. Reminds me of penalty ace Bodin who offered to come back to us when he was with Swindon. But only when he was washed up of course and there were no other takers. Thankfully we declined and I hope we do the same with ledley.

^^^^^THIS^^^^^

Ledley will try to use us (again!) when it suits him and he'll get no hero's welcome from me!

Never been so disappointed with an individual player in all my years supporting Cardiff City FC

Even tops Gunter as a major let-down with his antics...and that is going some!

I'd have him back but now, not later.

If true, I think this is bad news for Cardiff in
Regard to the fact we are not perceived as promotion
Challengers next season, and just a club to pasture old players.

If Tan is serious about promotion, he should get him - a form premier midfielder.
A Cardiff boy.

This could be a catalyst for us.

-on the statements so far- we look miles behind Palace.
When we should be at least on par with them.

Bullshit media. He's coming back home.

Fact.

Not for me , I would rather have some young hungry youngsters in our team. I wasn't a fan of Ledley when he was with us.

Imagine not wanting Ledley to come home

Looks like we'll get him back when he's past it. Reminds me of penalty ace Bodin who offered to come back to us when he was with Swindon. But only when he was washed up of course and there were no other takers. Thankfully we declined and I hope we do the same with ledley.

^^^^^THIS^^^^^

Ledley will try to use us (again!) when it suits him and he'll get no hero's welcome from me!

Never been so disappointed with an individual player in all my years supporting Cardiff City FC

Even tops Gunter as a major let-down with his antics...and that is going some!

What antics?

Looks like we'll get him back when he's past it. Reminds me of penalty ace Bodin who offered to come back to us when he was with Swindon. But only when he was washed up of course and there were no other takers. Thankfully we declined and I hope we do the same with ledley.

^^^^^THIS^^^^^

Ledley will try to use us (again!) when it suits him and he'll get no hero's welcome from me!

Never been so disappointed with an individual player in all my years supporting Cardiff City FC

Even tops Gunter as a major let-down with his antics...and that is going some!

What antics?

Were you asleep or did you think it was OK for him to leave the way he did????

Looks like we'll get him back when he's past it. Reminds me of penalty ace Bodin who offered to come back to us when he was with Swindon. But only when he was washed up of course and there were no other takers. Thankfully we declined and I hope we do the same with ledley.

^^^^^THIS^^^^^

Ledley will try to use us (again!) when it suits him and he'll get no hero's welcome from me!

Never been so disappointed with an individual player in all my years supporting Cardiff City FC

Even tops Gunter as a major let-down with his antics...and that is going some!

What antics?

Were you asleep or did you think it was OK for him to leave the way he did????

I felt he were treated quite badly if I'm honest and have no problem with him leaving how he did. He was made a scapegoat by the Riddler who attempted to take advantage of his loyalty. Don't forget the year he was by far our best player he was paid a tenth of what Fowler was paid, a seventh of what JFH was paid and a fifth of what Sinclair was paid. Even when Stoke bid 6 million for him he was not offered a new contract and only was 9 months before his was to expire. No back dating of pay and certainly not anywhere near the level even Sinclair was earning.

No wonder he exercised his right to a Bosman.

Bullshit media. He's coming back home.

Fact.

Hope your right

Looks like we'll get him back when he's past it. Reminds me of penalty ace Bodin who offered to come back to us when he was with Swindon. But only when he was washed up of course and there were no other takers. Thankfully we declined and I hope we do the same with ledley.

^^^^^THIS^^^^^

Ledley will try to use us (again!) when it suits him and he'll get no hero's welcome from me!

Never been so disappointed with an individual player in all my years supporting Cardiff City FC

Even tops Gunter as a major let-down with his antics...and that is going some!

What antics?

Were you asleep or did you think it was OK for him to leave the way he did????

I felt he were treated quite badly if I'm honest and have no problem with him leaving how he did. He was made a scapegoat by the Riddler who attempted to take advantage of his loyalty. Don't forget the year he was by far our best player he was paid a tenth of what Fowler was paid, a seventh of what JFH was paid and a fifth of what Sinclair was paid. Even when Stoke bid 6 million for him he was not offered a new contract and only was 9 months before his was to expire. No back dating of pay and certainly not anywhere near the level even Sinclair was earning.

No wonder he exercised his right to a Bosman.

I think you'll find there was a lot more to it than that and it may well have been The Riddler that was made the scapegoat, but I agree he could/should have been put on a better contract earlier than he was. However, the info I was given was that the club tried hard but the Agent just kept batting any/all offers back at them!

His right, of course, to exercise the 'Bosman', but I personally think it was a poor way to treat the club and (particularly) its supporters at a time when the money (given he had decided to leave) would have helped the club out!

Looks like we'll get him back when he's past it. Reminds me of penalty ace Bodin who offered to come back to us when he was with Swindon. But only when he was washed up of course and there were no other takers. Thankfully we declined and I hope we do the same with ledley.

^^^^^THIS^^^^^

Ledley will try to use us (again!) when it suits him and he'll get no hero's welcome from me!

Never been so disappointed with an individual player in all my years supporting Cardiff City FC

Even tops Gunter as a major let-down with his antics...and that is going some!

What antics?

Were you asleep or did you think it was OK for him to leave the way he did????

I felt he were treated quite badly if I'm honest and have no problem with him leaving how he did. He was made a scapegoat by the Riddler who attempted to take advantage of his loyalty. Don't forget the year he was by far our best player he was paid a tenth of what Fowler was paid, a seventh of what JFH was paid and a fifth of what Sinclair was paid. Even when Stoke bid 6 million for him he was not offered a new contract and only was 9 months before his was to expire. No back dating of pay and certainly not anywhere near the level even Sinclair was earning.

No wonder he exercised his right to a Bosman.

I think you'll find there was a lot more to it than that and it may well have been The Riddler that was made the scapegoat, but I agree he could/should have been put on a better contract earlier than he was. However, the info I was given was that the club tried hard but the Agent just kept batting any/all offers back at them!

His right, of course, to exercise the 'Bosman', but I personally think it was a poor way to treat the club and (particularly) its supporters at a time when the money (given he had decided to leave) would have helped the club out!

Loyalty is a two way street.

A Bosman means the hefty transfer fee isn't paid. Who gets that Ching? The player and the agent takes a hefty cut. Ledley should have been sorted earlier. The club screwed up.

I'll never forget the cameras following Ledley and his agent through the airport on his way to Glasgow. He ignored/ refused to answer any questions then he just looked straight ahead. Strange behaviour if he had nothing to feel guilty about .According to some on here.