' IDRISS SAADI IS GETTING HIS CHANCE AT CARDIFF '

Idriss Saadi to be given the chance to impress Neil Warnock during Cardiff City's pre-season campaign
By Chris Wathan


Friday 30th June 2017

The striker enjoyed a stunning season with KV Kortrijk last time out and is set to be handed a lifeline by Warnock with the Bluebirds this summer


Idriss Saadi will return to Cardiff City for pre-season and will be given a chance by Neil Warnock to catch the eye.


But a summer exit for the Algeria international still isn't being ruled out and could depend on the success of the Bluebirds' remaining plans for the transfer window.


Saadi arrived in South Wales from French second-tier side Clermont two years ago, the former Saint-Etienne striker having shown promise after recovery from serious knee injury,

But a spate of fitness problems hampered any chance of making an impression before he was shipped off to sister club KV Kortrijk last summer.

Saadi impressed for the Vincent Tan-owned Belgian outfit, leading to some supporters to call for him to be given a chance under new manager Neil Warnock.

The 25-year-old won his first cap for Algeria in June after 18 goals in the Jupiler ProLeague, but it had already been confirmed he would not be staying with KVK.

And it is understood the frontman – who has a year remaining on his Cardiff contract – will be back to allow Warnock to assess his chances of making an impact in his squad for the new season.

Warnock added to his forward options this summer with the arrival of Danny Ward from Rotherham to supplement first-choice No.9 Kenneth Zohore.

But with Rickie Lambert unlikely to play a part under the 68-year-old and rookie Rhys Healey needing to recover from the knee ligament injury suffered last term, Warnock will be wary he may still need support up front.

It means Warnock will have Saadi back to run the rule over his ability and whether he can force his way into his plans, as he will do with Frederic Gounongbe – the Benin frontman signed last summer but who failed to convince during his first season in South Wales.

Warnock has already managed to turn one fringe player into a surprise hit following the transformation of Zohore into one of Cardiff's main assets.

But both Saadi and Gounongbe are unlikely to have much time to press their case, with Gounongbe having already been linked with a loan to Kortrijk to replace Saadi.

And with Warnock still keen on adding attacking options having missed out on versatile forward Jonny Hayes to Celtic, both could yet find themselves on the move before the start of the season.

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Checked this before posting as myself and others have been firmly told he was on his way either by transfer or another season-long loan and opinion is that Saadi is still "unlikely" to stay at the club, although it seems the club's hierarchy are prepared to 'back' their manager if he firmly believes the player (already on city's books for next season) could be an asset in the coming season

That represents a change in position from the top and shows the regard in which Neil Warnock is held and will be a boost to those on here wanting to give Saadi at least a chance!

Idriss Saadi to be given the chance to impress Neil Warnock during Cardiff City's pre-season campaign
By Chris Wathan


The striker enjoyed a stunning season with KV Kortrijk last time out and is set to be handed a lifeline by Warnock with the Bluebirds this summer


Idriss Saadi will return to Cardiff City for pre-season and will be given a chance by Neil Warnock to catch the eye.


But a summer exit for the Algeria international still isn't being ruled out and could depend on the success of the Bluebirds' remaining plans for the transfer window.


Saadi arrived in South Wales from French second-tier side Clermont two years ago, the former Saint-Etienne striker having shown promise after recovery from serious knee injury,

But a spate of fitness problems hampered any chance of making an impression before he was shipped off to sister club KV Kortrijk last summer.

Saadi impressed for the Vincent Tan-owned Belgian outfit, leading to some supporters to call for him to be given a chance under new manager Neil Warnock.

The 25-year-old won his first cap for Algeria in June after 18 goals in the Jupiler ProLeague, but it had already been confirmed he would not be staying with KVK.

And it is understood the frontman – who has a year remaining on his Cardiff contract – will be back to allow Warnock to assess his chances of making an impact in his squad for the new season.

Warnock added to his forward options this summer with the arrival of Danny Ward from Rotherham to supplement first-choice No.9 Kenneth Zohore.

But with Rickie Lambert unlikely to play a part under the 68-year-old and rookie Rhys Healey needing to recover from the knee ligament injury suffered last term, Warnock will be wary he may still need support up front.

It means Warnock will have Saadi back to run the rule over his ability and whether he can force his way into his plans, as he will do with Frederic Gounongbe – the Benin frontman signed last summer but who failed to convince during his first season in South Wales.

Warnock has already managed to turn one fringe player into a surprise hit following the transformation of Zohore into one of Cardiff's main assets.

But both Saadi and Gounongbe are unlikely to have much time to press their case, with Gounongbe having already been linked with a loan to Kortrijk to replace Saadi.

And with Warnock still keen on adding attacking options having missed out on versatile forward Jonny Hayes to Celtic, both could yet find themselves on the move before the start of the season.

This makes a lot of sense to me - Saadi obviously has something about him and it could be that he just needs to work under a decent manager to fulfil some potential.

Checked this before posting as myself and others have been firmly told he was on his way either by transfer or another season-long loan and opinion is that Saadi is still "unlikely" to stay at the club, although it seems the club's hierarchy are prepared to 'back' their manager if he firmly believes the player (already on city's books for next season) could be an asset in the coming season

That represents a change in position from the top and shows the regard in which Neil Warnock is held and will be a boost to those on here wanting to give Saadi at least a chance!

Chris there's absolutly no quotes from Warnock or anyone at the club so I'll take the article as pure speculation. Watham the Jack obviously hasn't got much to write about!

Checked this before posting as myself and others have been firmly told he was on his way either by transfer or another season-long loan and opinion is that Saadi is still "unlikely" to stay at the club, although it seems the club's hierarchy are prepared to 'back' their manager if he firmly believes the player (already on city's books for next season) could be an asset in the coming season

That represents a change in position from the top and shows the regard in which Neil Warnock is held and will be a boost to those on here wanting to give Saadi at least a chance!

Chris there's absolutly no quotes from Warnock or anyone at the club so I'll take the article as pure speculation. Watham the Jack obviously hasn't got much to write about!

Jack, you are correct and Neil Warnock has been exceptionally quiet on Saadi due to 'accepting' the situation. However, the feeling still is that he will go and it may well just be that his return to pre-season training is an excuse for Chris Wathan to get creative (again)

However, it does seem that the hierarchy have 'bought into' Neil Warnock as much as the fans have, so I guess only time will tell on this one

As ever, we put information up (positive or negative) as we get it and having insisted he wasn't staying, I am happy to post even a snippet of hope for the Saadi fans on here!

How much has Warnock seen of the player ? He was out on a years loan with an option to call him back . He scored 18 goals and is very quick . I am positive Warnock will want to see him in preseason training to see if he has a player on his books he thinks can do a job .
I don't think Warnock would take too long to make a decision on him once he has seen him in the flesh The other question does the player want to here.

Sven,I wonder if he will try him in the Hayes roll as I believe he is pretty quick and good on the ball ????

great news now it is up to idris to prove his worth and how much he wants the shirt

Come on Idriss you have a little fan club wishing you well here- I'm certain like Manga,Zohore and a few when NW joined he can show something that the manager can coac out of him!!

#inwarnockwetrust

Sven,I wonder if he will try him in the Hayes roll as I believe he is pretty quick and good on the ball ????

Jules, could well do

The issue here is not Saadi's undoubted talent but something else (so far undisclosed) that meant him being sent out on loan with the likelihood of not returning to Cardiff at any point

He (at least appears) to have an opportunity here and maybe he can impress enough in pre-season for Neil Warnock to stake a claim with the hierarchy to keep him

Can't see it myself but even the OP surprised me and we all know Neil Warnock has the ear of the owner...in a box, I think! LOL

From what I understood he was sent on loan to regain confidence and fitness after a pretty torrid time with injuries. I seem to recall that Warnock was asked about bringing him back around Jan/Feb and I don't think he thought he could due to the position of the club in their league and being a Tan owned club.

Hope Fred goes the other way . I have a feeling also that he could come good....power, pace and very direct, similar to Big Ken. Don't think he's right for 'the hole'.
Warnock will sign a player similar to Hayes....He's said that.

I'm glad Saadi is getting a chance to impress Warnock

Would be silly not to give him a chance. He's a good age, should be full of confidence and like other people have said in his brief cameo for us he looked like he had something about him. Most people's thoughts are the same esp those who saw him play, in that there's a feeling he could get goals for us. Let's face it, if he is capable of 10 goals he's worth £2m in today's market. Anything upward of that and he's in the £5m range. Strikers are an expensive commodity.

I've got a feeling he gonna shine for us ,.he had a great confidence boosting season, plus pace and power. NW will get the best out of him.

In December he was gearing up to offload a certain Kenneth Zohore - until big Ken woke up and in the end and i quote "saved him a couple of million quid".

There is no reason he won't get the chance with Warnock it's down to Saadi now, but i believe if Neil takes him under his wing we could very easily save a few million quid again.