' Joe Ledley, Fraizer Campbell and Jordon Mutch '

Cardiff City should consider re-signing former favourites Ledley, Campbell and Mutch as they plan ahead


WEDNESDAY 4 MAY 2016

BY SCOTT JOHNSON



Crystal Palace could become a one shop stop for Bluebirds this summer, with Wayne Hennessey and Jonny Williams also potential targets



Ledley is a popular member of the Wales squad but has not featured regularly at Crystal Palace Ledley is a popular member of the Wales team next to Bale and Ramsey, but has not featured regularly at Crystal Palace

The bumper new Premier League TV deal has resulted in what would previously have been regarded as mid-table teams, flexing their financial muscles.

There is a need to keep up with their peers, but they have also been afforded greater spending power than before.

Last summer, Stoke bought Xherdan Shaqiri and West Brom brought in Salomon Rondon, the transfers costing club record £12m fees. Swansea also acquired Andre Ayew, a high-profile free agent.



These clubs are suddenly amongst the richest in the world, why wouldn’t they push the boat out?

You also have the Leicester factor, where a team fighting relegation last season romped to the title this term. Average Premier League teams are more financially enticing than traditional European powerhouses, so suffice to say, the spending is sure to continue and if anything, will accelerate.

Crystal Palace were another club that made a statement signing, bringing in cultured midfielder Yohan Cabaye from Paris Saint-Germain for a fee that could rise to £13m.


The knock on effect of these clubs suddenly spending such large sums of money is that it can create an imbalance within their squad and they can quickly outgrow players.

This could in turn benefit Championship clubs, who may be able to bring in Premier League quality players who cannot get a game, for knockdown prices.

Crystal Palace have a lot of players either going out of contract next month, or about to enter the final 12 months of the current deals. With Palace's new found spending power, chances are that more will leave than stay and that could make them a one-stop shop for Cardiff, or any other upwardly mobile Championship side, this summer.

The players going out of contract this year are certainly rich in experience. Damien Delaney has been a mainstay in the centre of the Palace defence this season, but that might not be enough to earn the 34-year-old a new deal.



Delaney’s fine form has kept Norwegian giant Brede Hangeland, also 34, out of the side and his one-year deal will soon end.

Former Arsenal striker Marouane Chamakh has hardly played this year, while Patrick McCarthy has not played full stop. Each are 32 and set to depart the Eagles.

Adrian Mariappa, at 29 a rookie in contrast, may be the pick of the bunch, despite the versatile defender only starting two games this season.

The players with 12 months left are rather more appealing. Cardiff have had from a chronic lack of threat up front since shedding most of their strikers in January and Palace have a familiar face that could offer an emphatic solution.

Cardiff have never really managed to replace Fraizer Campbell, since Crystal Palace activated his paltry release clause. The Bluebirds' relegation from the Premier League saw top scorer Campbell make a swift return to the top flight, but he has struggled for games and goals since.


This year, Campbell has only started four games and has yet to find the net. How Cardiff could do with his work ethic and poacher's instincts at present.

Having overcome two career-threatening knee injuries, he is wasting the prime of his career sat on the bench. Whether he is willing to drop down a level again for regular first-team football remains to be seen, but it is unlikely that the 28-year-old would command a substantial transfer fee.

If Cardiff are looking to remove Fabio's hefty salary from the wage bill, they could do far worse than Zeki Fryers. The 23-year-old left-back can’t get anywhere near the Palace side, but he was once very highly rated by Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United, before turning down a new deal in search of more first-team football.

He has since struggled for games at Standard Liege, Spurs and Palace, but would provide competition for Cardiff’s current stable of full backs.

The bearded one, Joe Ledley, also has an uncertain future. Like Mile Jedinak, the other bearded one who also has only 12 months left, Ledley has struggled to dislodge Cabaye and James McArthur in the Palace midfield.


A return to his former club would be warmly received, but an impressive showing at the European Championships could attract suitors.

Another transfer window is sure to bring another bout of speculation regarding David Marshall’s future. Will he stay or will he go is sure to define another summer and in the past, Wayne Hennessey, who is also set for the Euros, has been the popular choice as a potential replacement.

Having since become Palace’s undisputed number one, that is unlikely, although he also has only one year left on his contract.

Were Palace to sign another goalkeeper, that situation may change, but were he to remain, his understudy Alex McCarthy would be worth investigating as an alternative.




Jordon Mutch was perhaps Cardiff's bets player in the Premier League campaign

Mutch, arguably Cardiff’s best player in their solitary top flight campaign, has not quite hit it off at QPR or Palace since his departure.

The 24-year-old has made only six starts this year and may find games even harder to come by should Palace continue to spend.

Likewise, ‘Joniesta’ has yet to fulfil his undoubted potential, having struggled with a number of injuries in recent years. are very likely to be at the very least shipped out on loan and I’m sure either would be very gratefully received by the Cardiff fans.

He's talks utter bollocks he was on about the cost cutting the other week and its how it is now and then this. I can't take this guy seriously

cant see any of them wanting to return to a championship club treading water and for at least a 50% pay decrease

Campbell & Mutch were fantastic in our Prem season - but that's a long time ago now. Would I take these back - only if on a free.
Ledley could be good for us but again I wouldn't smash the bank over it as we have shown this year we need to have a creative midfield. Would be good to add some brut to the mid section tho

If this was possible, it would be great, but players' stock will be up because of the extra money pumped in from Sky. I thought Slade's job was to reduce expenditure, which he has in fairness. Wouldn't it be "back to square one" again with debt rising and wages crippling any future development??

I would like to see some money spent on an experienced striker, but the rest should be scouted out from lower leagues and abroad. The Championship will look a lot more attractive to players if they can see a club with prospects of a promotion push.

I know a lot of posters feel that this year, it was 1-6 and then the rest (and from GD and goals scored, I agree), but firepower is needed to redress half of this problem. The rest is down to leaky defence a lot of the time.

Stopped reading at 'By Scott Johnson'. Will now be known as Scott Nonsense. Gash.

Scott Johnson.

The man who suggested we start with Ameobi last Staurday.

Well, he came on early enough in the game ....

.....how well did that work out?

The man's a cock. To think he actually get's paid for writing such garbage is a joke.

I don't believe it would happen for a second.. But I'd definitely looking at snapping up Mutch. As much as I loved Ledley at city, I found him a bit one dimensional at times, never knew what his actual job was.

But as for Mutch, on his day he was creative, strong, good feet and always looked like he had a goal in him.

Fraser Campbell... I couldn't see him doing a lot more than his last visit

f**k that. Why go back to sign ex players. That guy talks utter shit on times.

I wouldn't be excited about any of those players coming back.

And so silly season begins.......................

This is why I cant take the guy seriously....Wants big money players back one week and then posts the opposite weeks before

Cardiff City are finally moving in the right direction off the field on the financial side

In recent years the Bluebirds have resembled the Titanic heading towards an iceberg but there is light at the end of the tunnel, especially on the financial side

The fact that Cardiff have given themselves a platform from which they can address these issues is fantastic, but the real hard work starts here.

They’re finally getting it right behind the scenes, hopefully the focus can now be on getting it right where it matters most: on the pitch.

Rather than chart a course to avoid it, they continued to plow full steam ahead.

But against all odds, right at the death, it looks like they have managed to steer clear of danger.

There may still be choppy waters ahead, but at least there will be a ship to sail.

Wages would be a major stumbling block not just league status

Stopped reading after the first line. Utterly ridiculous article, there's not a cat in hells chance of signing these players with the cost cutting the club is embarking on.

Who is Scott Johnson? Is he just a fan or what?Is he Tucker's lover? Some of the crap he spouts makes me wonder if he actually goes to City games. JOKE!

Thanks for the constructive feedback guys, I only do this for the love!

Don't forget, I'm on Twitter (@roathboy) if you're interested in discussion. Otherwise, cheer up and enjoy the sunshine x

Thanks for the constructive feedback guys, I only do this for the love!

Don't forget, I'm on Twitter (@roathboy) if you're interested in discussion. Otherwise, cheer up and enjoy the sunshine x

If indeed you are the guy that wrote the article, I think you'll find that most of the comments are in the form of a discussion. Also there are questions posed in which you don't seem able to answer.

No, most of it is trolling, as per.

As for the questions that I don't address in the article;

No one knows what the budget is for next season yet, or even who the manager will be, so it's difficult to rule in or rule out anyone at this stage.

I do not get paid for writing for Wales Online

I'm not Steve Tucker's lover

There not going to leave Palace for a smaller club are they

It worked for Campbell once before.

Sometimes a three-year deal on £10k-a-week is more appealing than one year at £20k, sat on a bench.

It worked for Campbell once before.

Sometimes a three-year deal on £10k-a-week is more appealing than one year at £20k, sat on a bench.

What would be his options,

1- a million pound a year against half a million pound, so he isn't going to mutually tear up his contract.

2- Palace give him a free transfer - that will cost them half a million, but saves them half a million

3- Loan him for a 500K fee, and pay half his wages- Palace cost neutral for palace and player doesn't lose

4- Sell him for a million and pay him half a million compensation to leave. Palace up 1.5 million

So option 4 would be best, would we stump up a million for him ? Probably, but so would a lot of richer clubs who can pay larger salaries.

I can't see us forking out for any of them. However I'd welcome all 3 back in a heartbeat!... The only one that would be a concern is Jordan mutch because of his injuries.

You can have that complete waste of space Adebayor.

Not been impressed with Mitch, but Campbell always puts in a shift unlike Emmanuel.

You can have that complete waste of space Adebayor.

Not been impressed with Mitch, but Campbell always puts in a shift unlike Emmanuel.

noticed your form dipped (tanked) after he joined.....Any coincidence ?

You can have that complete waste of space Adebayor.

Not been impressed with Mitch, but Campbell always puts in a shift unlike Emmanuel.

noticed your form dipped (tanked) after he joined.....Any coincidence ?

Yep no surprise really with the wages he is fraudulently trousering and we had a few injuries to key players as well.

You can have that complete waste of space Adebayor.

Not been impressed with Mitch, but Campbell always puts in a shift unlike Emmanuel.

We had the same situation with Kenwynne very frustrating players with ability but to busy smoking joints than putting in the effort.

You can have that complete waste of space Adebayor.

Not been impressed with Mitch, but Campbell always puts in a shift unlike Emmanuel.

We had the same situation with Kenwynne very frustrating players with ability but to busy smoking joints than putting in the effort.

I wasn't aware he (KJ) was doing that! Wow!

Thanks for the info. Puts a different slant on KJ's time here and no wonder we got rid once that came to light!

You can have that complete waste of space Adebayor.

Not been impressed with Mitch, but Campbell always puts in a shift unlike Emmanuel.

We had the same situation with Kenwynne very frustrating players with ability but to busy smoking joints than putting in the effort.

Is that true or just made up cos of where he's from? Not sure smoking joints would have any bearing on him playing football tho although its far from professional and also surprising he never got banned for drug use

This is a football club not a smoking hut he had to go.

Stopped reading at 'By Scott Johnson'. Will now be known as Scott Nonsense. Gash.

I knew within secs of reading, then skipped down here as lazy as. Man he is cack