Danny Says wrote:Cue the inevitable Western Mail article by a rookie reporter listing all the players potentially available.
That didn't take long !
The strikers Cardiff City could target on loan in January
BY MICHAEL JONES
The strikers Cardiff City could target on loan in January
Henri Saivet, Zach Clough and James Wilson could be on Neil Warnock's Cardiff City radar
Cardiff City's push for promotion continues to roar, and in hope of realising this ambition, Neil Warnock will have funds to play with come January.
A striker tops his Christmas wish-list, but the Bluebirds boss has conceded it will have to be a temporary acquisition with a view to a permanent solution.
"We’ll look to possibly loan," said Warnock. "It’s a difficult to buy in this window unless money is no object — like it is for one or two clubs.
"It might be more advisable to loan a player, pay a loan fee and bring somebody in and possibly agree a (permanent transfer) fee if we get promotion”.
Teasing the media and fans alike, Warnock mentioned that he was looking at “five or six” players, but refused to name them.
So, who could City feasibly bring in given the financial restrictions placed upon Warnock?
It could be an individual with lost or untapped potential — like Kenneth Zohore last season — who Warnock can inspire and get firing to help the Bluebirds promotion push over the line.
Here are three possible candidates...
Zach Clough
If Warnock is looking for a tenacious and driven striker who also possesses canny movement and sharp finishing, he need look no further than out-of-favour Nottingham Forest forward Zach Clough.
Clough was linked with a move to Cardiff when he first burst onto the scene with Bolton Wanderers — this weekend's opponents. Clough netted five times in eight appearances in his breakthrough year and caught the attention of potential Premier League suitors.
Amid interest from several clubs after his second season at Bolton, Clough chose Forest but has yet to carve out a permanent starting berth in two seasons at the City Ground.
Having made just three starts and eight substitute appearances this season, the forward voiced his frustration at his lack of game time under Mark Warburton.
Former Bolton striker Zach Clough
“I have not been on the pitch as much as I would have liked and it has been hard," he admitted.
Though the diminutive striker would not be as proficient in holding the ball up as Zohore — or Omar Bogle for that matter — he would compensate with his energetic style and off the ball movement.
Zohore’s return is mooted to be in the new year, so Clough’s hypothetical arrival may well coincide with the Dane re-emerging from the side lines.
Thus Clough’s inability to be a target man may be rendered irrelevant; if so, the savvy forward would add another dimension to Cardiff’s attack. Still just 22 years old, Clough will be looking to find a permanent home and if he were to join on loan and make an impression, a transfer at the end of the season could be conceivable.
Henri Saivet
A rough diamond, exiled and an apparently bleak future. Where have we heard that story before? Henri Saivet’s experience at St James’ Park has startling similarities to that of Zohore’s (pre-Warnock).
“But if he did not play in England, now I know why: he is no longer hungry —at all," rued St. Etienne boss Cristophe Galtier, after Saivet’s unsuccessful spell last season.
While this might look ominous, there is nothing Warnock enjoys more than turning flawed players into revelations, and in Saivet, the veteran could be able to replicate the success he wrought with Zohore.
It is not only a potential tale of redemption that connects Zohore and Saivet, but the qualities the Senegalese has mirrors the Dane.
Saivet may lack the height of Zohore, but he has the strength to hold off defenders and is a good protector of the ball. Marry this with Saivet’s speed, technique and powerful heading and he emerges as a similar player to Cardiff’s striking kingpin.
Admittedly, Saivet has seldom shown these qualities in the black and white stripes of the Toon, but if there is a manager who can coax the best out of him, it is Warnock. Saivet will have a point to prove.
He is, however, rumoured to be earning substantial wages and any loan deal would likely include a Magpies subsidy for some of his salary given Cardiff’s limited budget.
James Wilson
Memories of a fresh-faced, jubilant and unbelieving Wilson knee-sliding in front of the Stretford End after scoring a debut goal for Manchester United at the tender age of 18 now seem distant.
The young Englishman has failed to kick-start his career despite showing such promise in the top flight.
A lengthy injury lay-off has not helped his cause, but after a year of rehab and frequent game time with United’s development side, Wilson is now open to a move in January.
“It’s certainly a possibility. I’m not ruling it out”, said Wilson.
With a star studded forward line of Romelu Lukaku, Zlatan Ibrahimović, Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial to choose from, it does not seem Wilson is in Jose Mourinho’s immediate plans.
Previous loan spells at Brighton and Derby attest to the 22-year-old's ability to deal with the rigorous nature of the Championship. Like any player bred in the Red Devils' academy, the striker is a naturally gifted youngster who plays intelligently.
A striking instinct coupled with quick feet mark Wilson out as a handful for opposition defenders and Warnock could do a lot worse than bringing in a player raring to go after months watching on from the sidelines.
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