' Should Cardiff bring him back? '
Sat Mar 11, 2017 7:45 am
Cardiff city need a poacher, but do they already have one on their books?
By Scott Johnson
11th March 2017
Can Idriss Saadi have a similar impact to Kenneth Zohore at Cardiff City next season?
The only thing more surprising than Kadeem Harris becoming a first-team regular this season has been the near miraculous rise of Kenneth Zohore.
The Danish forward’s impact should not come as a major surprise, seeing as his attributes (strength, speed and stamina) are tailor made for the Championship. Yet until recently, he looked a little raw and out of his depth, his application and attitude seemingly lacking.
Zohore and Harris are now making giant strides on a game by game basis and both players, plus Neil Warnock, deserve all the praise that result from their fine recent performances.
Some are now asking, with a full pre-season under Warnock, if Zohore can be the elusive 20-goal-a-season striker that Cardiff are crying out for next season. Maybe he will, but chances are that he will need some assistance on that front and Warnock is likely to strengthen that particular area of the squad.
Although Cardiff will soon welcome back Idriss Saadi from a very successful loan spell at their sister club KV Kortrijk, in Belgium’s Jupiler League. Warnock has not yet had the opportunity to cast his eye over the stocky French forward, but here’s hoping that he will also get the opportunity to shine.
Having only made a 14 minute cameo for Cardiff to date, no one is in a position to have formulated any sort of considered opinion on Saadi yet, but in that brief appearance against Reading he gave some idea of his skillset. Aggressive and powerfully built with a mighty shot, he looked an exciting talent before tearing his hamstring in the closing stages.
Saadi has gone on to star for Kortrijk and his 14 goals for a middling side positions him as joint third top scorer in the division. That is no mean feat, but needs to be put in some context. It is not the strongest of leagues and the two players either side of him in the scoring chart both flopped in England.
Jelle Vossen joined Middlesbrough on loan in September 2014, with a view to a permanent transfer. They did not take up the option and he instead moved to Burnley on a three-year deal. Less than two months later he departed for Club Brugge. Orlando Sa joined Fulham on a free transfer in 2011, scored once for them and saw his contracted terminated the following summer. He then moved to Reading in June 2015 and promptly left the following January.
A glance through Saadi’s array of goals highlight that were most were scored in or around the six-yard box and he looks a clinical finisher. Warnock has previously stated that most of Cardiff’s goals come from set pieces or strikes from distance and that they are crying out for a more traditional poacher. There are also plenty of headers in amongst his collection and the six-foot striker would certainly offer more aerial threat.
Contracted for another year, it remains to be seen whether Saadi will be welcomed back in to the fold to compete with Zohore, Frederic Gounongbe and Rickie Lambert or if the club will cash in while his stock is high. Given the chance, he might go on to replicate Zohore’s heroics next season.
By Scott Johnson
11th March 2017
Can Idriss Saadi have a similar impact to Kenneth Zohore at Cardiff City next season?
The only thing more surprising than Kadeem Harris becoming a first-team regular this season has been the near miraculous rise of Kenneth Zohore.
The Danish forward’s impact should not come as a major surprise, seeing as his attributes (strength, speed and stamina) are tailor made for the Championship. Yet until recently, he looked a little raw and out of his depth, his application and attitude seemingly lacking.
Zohore and Harris are now making giant strides on a game by game basis and both players, plus Neil Warnock, deserve all the praise that result from their fine recent performances.
Some are now asking, with a full pre-season under Warnock, if Zohore can be the elusive 20-goal-a-season striker that Cardiff are crying out for next season. Maybe he will, but chances are that he will need some assistance on that front and Warnock is likely to strengthen that particular area of the squad.
Although Cardiff will soon welcome back Idriss Saadi from a very successful loan spell at their sister club KV Kortrijk, in Belgium’s Jupiler League. Warnock has not yet had the opportunity to cast his eye over the stocky French forward, but here’s hoping that he will also get the opportunity to shine.
Having only made a 14 minute cameo for Cardiff to date, no one is in a position to have formulated any sort of considered opinion on Saadi yet, but in that brief appearance against Reading he gave some idea of his skillset. Aggressive and powerfully built with a mighty shot, he looked an exciting talent before tearing his hamstring in the closing stages.
Saadi has gone on to star for Kortrijk and his 14 goals for a middling side positions him as joint third top scorer in the division. That is no mean feat, but needs to be put in some context. It is not the strongest of leagues and the two players either side of him in the scoring chart both flopped in England.
Jelle Vossen joined Middlesbrough on loan in September 2014, with a view to a permanent transfer. They did not take up the option and he instead moved to Burnley on a three-year deal. Less than two months later he departed for Club Brugge. Orlando Sa joined Fulham on a free transfer in 2011, scored once for them and saw his contracted terminated the following summer. He then moved to Reading in June 2015 and promptly left the following January.
A glance through Saadi’s array of goals highlight that were most were scored in or around the six-yard box and he looks a clinical finisher. Warnock has previously stated that most of Cardiff’s goals come from set pieces or strikes from distance and that they are crying out for a more traditional poacher. There are also plenty of headers in amongst his collection and the six-foot striker would certainly offer more aerial threat.
Contracted for another year, it remains to be seen whether Saadi will be welcomed back in to the fold to compete with Zohore, Frederic Gounongbe and Rickie Lambert or if the club will cash in while his stock is high. Given the chance, he might go on to replicate Zohore’s heroics next season.
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Re: ' Should Cardiff bring him back? '
Sat Mar 11, 2017 8:01 am
For me yes as long as he is not on stupid high wages - if he is let's ship him out as it would be a gamble.
If not let's get him back clear out gougnonbe and lambert and bring in one more proven striker
If not let's get him back clear out gougnonbe and lambert and bring in one more proven striker
Re: ' Should Cardiff bring him back? '
Sat Mar 11, 2017 8:40 am
I definitely think yes ,hes over his injury problems now and full of confidence
Re: ' Should Cardiff bring him back? '
Sat Mar 11, 2017 9:29 am
On this one I'm oddly inclined to let him go if there's a few million in it. NW could add to his funds for players especially with Zahore here.
But if theirs no takers then get him back.
But if theirs no takers then get him back.
Re: ' Should Cardiff bring him back? '
Sat Mar 11, 2017 10:10 am
Only saw 10 min of him but did look quite and direct could be far better than Harris playing alongside zahore, would imagine NW will take look at him in pre season and then decide. 