" PAUL TROLLOPE RESPONDS TO TRANSFER RUMOURS "

Cardiff City boss Paul Trollope refuses to be drawn on George Williams links but admits 'he's a player I admire'

Wednesday 20th July 2016

By Phil Smith

Cardiff City manager Paul Trollope refused to be drawn on rumours linking the club with Wales ace George Williams, but admitted he admires the player.

Trollope is keen to add more Welsh talent to his ranks - a brief outlined to him by the club's Malaysian owner Vincent Tan - and Williams is the perfect candidate.

Having become a familiar face in the national side, the attacking youngster will be well-versed in the 3-5-2 formation that the Bluebirds are looking to employ.

“There’s a lot of rumours, clubs are being linked with a lot of players,” said Trollope, following Cardiff’s abandoned pre-season friendly against RW Ahlen.

“He’s a player I admire as I do many of the players in the Welsh squad, but I’m not going to say whether we’re interested or not.”

On adding Welsh players to the squad, he said: “It’s been well documented, it’s something I’m keen to do.

“There’s a nice Welsh element in the staff, and for the group, for the football club, right through the academy to the fans, it would be good to have a Welsh element on the pitch.

“It would be a great benefit to everyone.”

Forward Williams is currently plying his trade at Fulham, but spent from February on loan at League One side Gillingham.

But Williams, who travelled to France as part of Chris Coleman’s 23-man Euro 2016 squad, has been strongly linked with a move to Cardiff City Stadium following Fulham team-mate Jazz Richards’ switch to the Bluebirds earlier this week.

The 20-year-old came through the youth system at MK Dons and spent the 2014-15 season on loan at the Dons, following his move to Fulham in June 2012.

Williams played just once for Fulham last season, and joined Gillingham on loan in February, but failed to score in the 10 appearances he made for the Gills.

Since moving to Craven Cottage Williams has made just 15 appearances for the Cottagers, with the striker missing much of last season with a knee injury.

I pretty much take that as a yes.

So he's a striker not a winger!?

As much as I want Welsh players involved they have to be good enough to start with, I really am concerned that we may be possibly signing Welsh players for the sake of it even though they may not even be League One let alone Championship.

Personally think he would be a good signing. Young with plenty of potential, in the few games he's played for wales he hasn't been phased about playing on the big stage, always brave and positive on the ball. With Trollope in charge I think he could coach him into a good player, for the right price I'd definitely take him.

Personally think he would be a good signing. Young with plenty of potential.

Not an automatic starter then - City need an established goal scorer at this level. I am not convinced they have anyone in their squad who is that player. The new guy is unheard of and may have shock value for a while. Zahora has more potential given last season's cameo, performances and will get better but where is the Andre Gray or Ross McCormack - that established quality.

I am not expecting MrTan to splash the cash but surely he knows the best way to get promotion is to have that extra quality ie a goalscorer to turn 1-1's into wins.

Promotion would turn this club into a saleable asset if his ultimate aim is to get rid.

Personally think he would be a good signing. Young with plenty of potential.

Not an automatic starter then - City need an established goal scorer at this level. I am not convinced they have anyone in their squad who is that player. The new guy is unheard of and may have shock value for a while. Zahora has more potential given last season's cameo, performances and will get better but where is the Andre Gray or Ross McCormack - that established quality.

I am not expecting MrTan to splash the cash but surely he knows the best way to get promotion is to have that extra quality ie a goalscorer to turn 1-1's into wins.

Promotion would turn this club into a saleable asset if his ultimate aim is to get rid.

Established strikers costs lots of money so its worth taking a chance on someone with potential.Its worth pointing out to you that we took a chance on Chopra a few years ago and that didn't turn out too badly did it?

Personally think he would be a good signing. Young with plenty of potential.

Not an automatic starter then - City need an established goal scorer at this level. I am not convinced they have anyone in their squad who is that player. The new guy is unheard of and may have shock value for a while. Zahora has more potential given last season's cameo, performances and will get better but where is the Andre Gray or Ross McCormack - that established quality.

I am not expecting MrTan to splash the cash but surely he knows the best way to get promotion is to have that extra quality ie a goalscorer to turn 1-1's into wins.

Promotion would turn this club into a saleable asset if his ultimate aim is to get rid.

I'd be surprised if we don't bring in another striker but we've got no chance of Tan spending top money on a proven goalscorer. I agree promotion will obviously make us a more attractive club to buy but Tan's not willing to risk his money.

Williams may not be a automatic starter now but I'd rather balance the books and bring in players with potential and build for a few years and have a proper playing identity, rather than throwing the kitchen sink at it. It's been proven that teams with a long term plan fair better once they get promoted than the likes of ourselves and Q.P.R.