Marko Grujic / Joe Ralls / Kenneth Zohore / Callum Paterson

Marko Grujic / Joe Ralls / Kenneth Zohore / Callum Paterson



Liverpool loanee Marko Grujic among four contenders for Cardiff City's Young Player of the Year award -


By Tom Coleman

Tuesday 1st May 2018


Everyone connected with Cardiff City will be hoping they will be celebrating promotion by the time they arrive at their annual awards night on Sunday, which is due to be staged just a few hours after the Bluebirds' do-or-die clash with Reading.

A win over the Royals at the Cardiff City Stadium would confirm the return of Premier League football to the Welsh capital, and give those in attendance at the Mecure Hotel plenty of reason to celebrate what has already been an astonishing season.

Voting for the top accolade of Player of the Season has already closed, with attention now turning to the club's Young Player of the Year award.

Each of the listed candidates was aged 23 or under at the start of the season and has played in at least one of City's Championship matches this season. Voting closes at 11.59 on Wednesday, and you can vote for your choice here.





Here's the lowdown on each of the five men chosen.





Marko Grujic


The Liverpool loanee caused quite a stir when he arrived on loan from Liverpool back in January, and he's not wasted any time in living up to most of the hype.

The Serb has added steel and class to Cardiff's midfield, and looks just as comfortable going forward as he does nullifying any threats.

Parent club Liverpool have clearly been paying close attention, with Reds boss Jurgen Klopp reportedly keen on making the midfielder part of his long-term plans.

Despite only playing 14 games of this season, Grujic has been a key figure at the heart of the Bluebirds midfield and looks destined for a spell in the Premier League - with or without Cardiff.







Joe Ralls

The man that truly makes Cardiff tick in the middle of the park, Ralls has come of age this season, providing a vital link between defence and attack throughout the campaign.

It's easy to forget he's still relatively young, having started the campaign aged 23, but he's shown maturity beyond his years this term.

There were fears over his ability to bounce back when he found himself missing nearly two months with an injury, but he's had little trouble slotting straight back into the side.

Having scored seven goals and made four assists, Ralls is already a key man in this team and deserves a shot at the big time.







Kenneth Zohore

The Dane hasn't been on the scoresheet as many times as he would have liked this season, but he's undoubtedly proved himself to be a prominent figure in Cardiff's bid for promotion.

He dazzled with a brilliant double against Leeds back in September, but would score just once more between then and February.

Zohore's critics circled, but he answered in superb style, netting four goals in six games, including vital winners against Ipswich Town and Bristol City.

Even when he's not scoring, Zohore has proved himself to be a constant nuisance for defences throughout the league - John Terry's probably still having nightmares after being bullied by the striker back in August.










Callum Paterson

A huge fans' favourite, it's easy to forget that injury kept the Scot out of action until late October.

He was worth the wait.

Initially starting out as a full-back, the 23-year-old has played on the wing, in the centre and, more recently, even in the hole as a number 10.

His versatility has certainly been a massive positive, particularly with the number of injuries that boss Neil Warnock has had to deal with over the season.

He's been one of Cardiff's key goal threats too, netting 10 goals in 36 appearances in all competitions.

You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.

all a bit odd this.


grujic has hardly played in the context of the whole season and isnt ralls 24?

Any tickets left for award night?

all a bit odd this.


grujic has hardly played in the context of the whole season and isnt ralls 24?

Each of the listed candidates was aged 23 or under at the start of the season and has played in at least one of City's Championship matches this season. Voting closes at 11.59 on Wednesday, and you can vote for your choice here.


They are all the main contenders for Young player of the season

Paterson for me.

Rhys Healey is on the list aswell

Joe Ralls has been brilliant this season but I can't see anything else other than Callum Paterson.
His goal contribution has been excellent and without these we would be a few spots down on the table

Paterson got my vote.

Initially I thought easy Paterson but then I think as fans we seem to remember the last few months rather than earlier in the season.

Ralls has had a decent return rate with goals this season and in my opinion we look a far better team when he is playing so for me its Ralls.

Rhys Healey is on the list aswell

I know but pointless, been on loan at Torquay.

Paterson for me.

Paul and Callum Paterson for me

Patterson, Ralls would have been close if not for his injury

Patterson, Ralls would have been close if not for his injury

I don't know but id bet Ralls has played more game than Paterson this season, remember Paterson missed a huge part of the season with an injury also.

Ralls was close to Player if the year for me, class and effective midfielder that doesn't give up. Missed him quite a bit when he was out.

Rhys Healey is on the list aswell

I know but pointless, been on loan at Torquay.

True but he's still on the list of 5 not 4

Rhys Healey is on the list aswell

I know but pointless, been on loan at Torquay.

True but he's still on the list of 5 not 4

voting for healy are you!? Jesus.

Rhys Healey is on the list aswell

I know but pointless, been on loan at Torquay.

True but he's still on the list of 5 not 4

voting for healy are you!? Jesus.

No Paterson

Rhys Healey is on the list aswell

I know but pointless, been on loan at Torquay.

True but he's still on the list of 5 not 4

True.


Ok Rhys Healey on loan at Torquay United is the 5th player

Rhys Healey is on the list aswell

I know but pointless, been on loan at Torquay.

True but he's still on the list of 5 not 4

True.


Ok Rhys Healey on loan at Torquay United is the 5th player

I'm a massive fan of both Ralls & Paterson! Honestly couldn't choose between them. Paterson is just a born winner and his effort and determination was always going to make him a fan favourite!

Ralls has just been huge for us this season. Glad they're both available for our last game!!

Pato gets my vote. The boy is a superstar. He’s a goal machine, and been revelation in attacking MF. Warnock amazes me how he finds these players. Mind Pato played up front a bit for hearts and was a bit of a cult hero as a scoring full back up there. Quality.

Got to be Patterson surely - but Ralls deserved a mention as a very close runner-up