Wed Jun 24, 2015 3:09 pm
Wednesday 24 June 2015
By Scott Johnson
Cardiff have to start looking at players coming to the end of their contract
Could these men be assets to Cardiff City boss Russell Slade?
While clubs feast on the glut of free agents currently flooding the transfer market, shrewd managers will also be keeping half an eye on the players that are approaching the final year of their current deals.
Some of these players will be available for a fraction of their market value as clubs try to recoup some money, rather than just let them walk away for nothing next year.
There will be a number of reasons why these players find themselves in this position.
Some may have become out of favour and their club will be happy to see their value and desire to carry on at the club depreciate.
Alternatively, in demand players may avoid contract talks to try to leverage better terms from owners that may be under increasing pressure and starting to panic.
Either way, there are certainly plenty of attractive options within this scenario.
Top of the pile and always likely to be most in demand are the promising youngsters. Nick Powell was a high profile £6m signing for Manchester United in 2012, after starring in the League Two play-off final with Crewe.
Where youngsters have previously benefited from the continuity of Sir Alex Ferguson’s presence, Powell has already played for three different managers at Old Trafford and is very much out of favour.
Still only 21, his maverick creative talents are in need of a new home, although a hefty compensation would be due.
Josh McEachran, still only 22, was talked up as the new Liam Brady as he progressed through the ranks at Chelsea, but at a club not renowned for youth development, his progress has stalled.
Having just completed his fifth loan spell, he is sure to be on the move once again.
Another player that has already seen his fair share of loan spells is Leicester’s Chris Wood, who has already chalked up seven temporary employers.
With the Foxes paying hefty transfer fees for two strikers last season and retaining their Premier League status, the big New Zealand target man is likely to be on his travels again.
The same might apply to team mate Dave Nugent. Aged 30, and always a reliable goal scorer at Football League level, he may soon find himself surplus to requirements.
Two players that impressed against Cardiff last year were Adlene Guedioura and Barry Bannan, who were on loan from Crystal Palace at Watford and Bolton respectively.
Guedioura, a powerful destroyer and Bannan, a crafty midfield schemer, would actually make a great pairing in central midfield, but Palace boss Alan Pardew is pursuing the likes of Yohan Cabaye, so their future at the club looks uncertain.
The Welsh public are well aware of the merits of Hal Robson-Kanu, as they bask in the glow of the victory against Belgium.
But strangely, his stock seems to be higher at international level than it is domestically. His contract at Reading is winding down and he has already been briefly linked with Cardiff.
At Villa Park, Tim Sherwood has his work cut out resolving the futures of a trio of Aston Villa defenders - Ciaran Clark, Nathan Baker and Joe Bennett.
North of the border, Adam Matthews, the one that got away, would certainly prove a popular target.
Kevin Nolan is coming to the end of a bumper deal at West Ham. His main backer Sam Allardyce has also departed, so it is to be seen whether he will be as highly regarded by Slaven Bilic.
At 32, Nolan is a year older than former Cardiff favourite James Collins and the ‘Ginger Monster’ finds himself in a similar position. Each will be keen to extend their deals and play at West Ham’s new stadium when it opens next summer, but that looks unlikely at present.
Steve Sidwell, also 32, is wasting away on the bench at Stoke and may be keen to seek regular playing time elsewhere.
2013: Kevin Nolan celebrates his goal as Cardiff City returned to the top flight with a 2-0 defeat at West HamKevin Nolan
In the Championship, some of the second tier’s finest could also soon be up for grabs. Leeds full back Sam Bryram is very highly regarded and one of the club’s few assets.
Southampton had a £4.5m bid rejected last summer and may return should they sell Nathaniel Clyne, so he is probably out of Cardiff’s league.
Junior Hoilett was relegated with QPR and has not matched up to the potential he demonstrated at Blackburn, but he is a very talented, effective winger.
In contrast, former AZ winger Johann Berg Gudmundsson chalked up 11 goals for Charlton last season and is sure to be in demand as his two-year deal enters its second half.
There is sure to be plenty of movement amongst these players in the coming weeks, with contract offers likely to be accepted or declined, potentially necessitating moves elsewhere.