ANOTHER CITY LINK? SHINJI OZAKA (LEICESTER CITY)

Cardiff City should move for Shinji Okazaki to give them a Plan B
By Kyle Archer

The answer to Neil Warnock’s search for a new striker must end in Leicester after Shinji Okazaki accepted his future lies outside the Foxes.


What’s the word?

Warnock joined Sky Sports’ Goals on Sunday panel on December 16 and discussed Cardiff’s plans for the January transfer market.

In particular, the 70-year-old was asked if the Bluebirds will be in the market for a new striker and Warnock unequivocally revealed, via reporting by Wales Online, that they would be, stating: “Yeah, we are looking at two or three positions and we’ve made offers for strikers.”

Around the same time, Leicester City striker Okazaki revealed that he is seeking a new challenge elsewhere as he has accepted his future may not be with Leicester.

The 32-year-old’s contract at the King Power Stadium is due to expire in the summer, meaning he will be able to negotiate a pre-contract with European clubs from January, but may also be available for a nominal fee in the mid-season window if the Foxes are open to cashing in.


Neil Warnock’s Plan B

Okazaki revealed in his interview with the Leicester Mercury that the club are going in a different direction under Claude Puel, which has seen minutes harder to come by and he has become more of an impact substitute.

The 5 foot 9 forward was able to help the Foxes to the Premier League trophy in his debut season at the King Power, but has recorded just the one start in the league so far this season – making the remainder of his 170 minutes on the pitch from the bench over 12 further outings.


If Cardiff were to chase the 116-cap Japanese international, who has eyes on the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Warnock would have the services of a striker who can play in behind the leading man and link the midfield to the attack.

His presence in the side would give the 70-year-old head coach an alternative solution to his heavily favoured 4-1-4-1 that sees Victor Camarasa and Harry Arter work as box-to-box midfielders.

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

Not for me. We need a taller target man as our playing style requires this type of centre forward.

Not for me either.

As a squad player/impact sub YES
As a number 1 striker to fire us to safety hes not that player

Not for me have to say if we was going to go for a player like this I would much prefer a younger hungry striker like maupay from Brentford

What a player. I actually would love him to come to Cardiff

What a player. I actually would love him to come to Cardiff

Nice to see a different opinion and you never let us down, SamRean!

I like him and he would be a good squad player but I agree with he guys above we should be looking at a bigger, stronger player to take up the reins vacated by the unfortunate (or not) Kenneth Zohore

Not for me have to say if we was going to go for a player like this I would much prefer a younger hungry striker like maupay from Brentford

Disagree he would be a fantastic signing.

What a player. I actually would love him to come to Cardiff

I'm with you Sam. Would be a great signing.

The problem is Warnock likes to play with only one up front most of the time so the one has to be a big centre forward type who can win the ball in the air and hold it up.This guy does not fit that profile so he would spend most of the time on the bench like Read.

Don't see this happening. He's literally a replica of Bobby Reid who plays in that number 10 position and he can barely fit into this team. Okazaki is almost 33 and is 5ft 9 where would he fit in this team?

Better than anything we have currently?

People saying ‘not for me’ and ‘not good enough’ like we have Lukaku and Kane as our options. No. He is better than what we have, people said it about rondon at the start of the season, not being good enough for us, and deeney, and look at them both now, both scoring goals. Both a lot better than what we have, people need to stop writing strikers off when we have Gary madine on our bench!

People saying ‘not for me’ and ‘not good enough’ like we have Lukaku and Kane as our options. No. He is better than what we have, people said it about rondon at the start of the season, not being good enough for us, and deeney, and look at them both now, both scoring goals. Both a lot better than what we have, people need to stop writing strikers off when we have Gary madine on our bench!

Rondon or deeney would have been good imo, both have a physical presence and can attack and head the ball and score, i think this is what warnock likes and what he will be looking for and dont know if okazaki will really be warnocks cup of tea really?