Are Cardiff City taking a big Risk?

Cardiff City and West Brom are both taking a big risk with Kenneth Zohore?


Thursday 18th July 2019

By Scott Johnson


Well that was unexpected! Just when you thought the summer was running a bit too smoothly, this happens.

My first reaction to Cardiff's imminent sale of Kenneth Zohore to West Brom is that I’m gutted. He’s a player I’m fond of and I think he will be missed, but at the same time, we’ve been missing him for a few years already.

Therein lies the conundrum with Zohore. We know what he’s capable of, but we can’t wait around forever for him to remind us.

Zohore in some ways reminds me of Joe Mason, who had a brilliant first season for Cardiff, but never quite matched those heights in the years that followed. Zohore was more of a slow burner, but when he caught alight, he was unplayable. Pace, power, strength, the prototype modern centre forward.

Neil Warnock is a big fan, except when he’s not. He has despaired when Zohore’s work rate and performances have slipped, but he remains the standard that Warnock compares all future signings to. When Zohore doesn’t play, there is also a Zohore-shaped hole in the side, so now that he’s going, will it trigger an identity crisis at the club?

Zohore’s contract has just entered its final 12 months, so a choice had to be made as to whether Cardiff would cash in, top up his deal or let him walk away as a free agent next summer. They would be perfectly entitled to believe that Zohore has not done enough to justify a new contract and if that were the case, then their hand has been forced.

But what if he came good? There will always be that nagging doubt.


Zohore put in a good shift on the final day of last season at Manchester United and it was a timely reminder of his talents ahead of the summer break. A fully-functioning part of a rather potent front four, with Josh Murphy, Bobby Reid and Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, it was hoped that would be the template for the forthcoming season, but was instead a one-off performance.

West Brom are also taking a big risk too. Having lost Jay Rodriguez and Dwight Gayle, who were so prolific for them last year, they are relying on Zohore to fill the void and hit the ground running. Cardiff banked on Zohore last summer and in many respects it cost them their Premier League status.

As for the transfer fee, £8m is probably fair, under the circumstances, but that won’t go very far in the current market. Che Adams cost Southampton £15m, while Swansea have already rejected that amount from Sheffield United for Oli McBurnie. He WILL need to be replaced and they have put themselves under a great deal of pressure to get someone in with less than three weeks of the window remaining.

Let’s hope that Cardiff have a plan in place and that the plan is not to try and slot Gary Madine in there instead. When Cardiff have previously used Madine in place of Zohore, it has failed because they have contrasting attributes. Madine needs to be central, in and around the box and feed of crosses, whereas Zohore favours open space and likes to cut in from the flanks. Stick Madine on the touchline and you eliminate his strengths or put him up top and isolate him. He was never the right fit and that remains the case.

When discussing Zohore, you have to include Madine because they have both become problems to solve for Warnock. Madine has to be considered as an expensive flop and appeared to be the reason why Cardiff didn’t bring in another striker last year. You get the impression that he’s the reason they haven’t brought one in thus far this year either, although the Zohore sale changes that. Whether or not this sale affects Madine’s future remains to be seen.

So what now? Like Ross McCormack before him, Cardiff turned down an offer from Huddersfield for Zohore a few years back, a prized asset, only to lose him for considerably less at a later date. No one could blame them for that and there would have been uproar had they cashed in at the time, the peak of his powers, but it was a gamble that only partially paid off.

All the available options have strings attached, otherwise they wouldn’t be within Cardiff’s reach. Only last week I wrote about the appeal of Charlie Austin, who is treated like a leper at Southampton these days, but he is expensive and has dodgy knees.


They could try to capitalise on Aston Villa’s supermarket sweep and target Jonathan Kodja who, like Austin is entering the final year of his existing deal, but would likely resist a return to the division he only just escaped from. Britt Assombalonga has already been linked, but I’m not sure such a static striker would be a great fit.

As is always the case in such scenarios, whether or not it was right to cash in on Zohore will depend on who is brought in to replace him and Cardiff are now very much against the clock.

This team feels like it was built around Zohore’s strengths and ultimately succeeded largely in spite of him, rather than because of him. They will now need to do it all again, but this time with a Zohore-shaped hole in the club, not just the team.

An anxious few weeks await because failing to secure a striker for a second consecutive summer could seriously hamper their promotion prospects.

Wasn't it Brighton who were interested in Ken a few years ago rather than Huddersfield?

Wasn't it Brighton who were interested in Ken a few years ago rather than Huddersfield?

Correct David

I think holding onto him, in the hope he rediscovers scoring form and consistency is a bigger risk. If that back fires, we lose him on a free.

Let's be honest he's definaltly got the potential to be one of the top scorers in the league

It could backfire as west brom will be around the playoffs this year

Sad to see him go but can understand the reason why.

He has had a lot of criticism on this forum but in the first third of the season we went up he was on fire until he got injured. We played some of the best football I have seen a Cardiff side play, in particular destroying Villa and Leeds at home and bossing Wolves at Molineux. And a lot of that was down to Ken running defences ragged with his pace and strength. And who can forget his last minute winners at Burton and Southampton.

I think if NW brings a good replacement who scores a few goals, KZ will be quickly forgotten.

I think if NW brings a good replacement who scores a few goals, KZ will be quickly forgotten.

True enough but Warnock's recent history with strikers has been pretty woeful to be honest.

He will likely start brightly for them and then fade/get injured 3 months into the season.

As much as I would like Zohore and Manga to stay I think the risk would be not selling them now and them both leaving on a free next season.

Manga value wise isn't to much of a risk, his value isn't going to go up much more, 31 now, he would be 32 when out of contract. For a little more we will have Flint on a longer contract.

I think the opposite. Keeping him is a risk. Warnock worked with him over 2 years. Scored 1 goal last season. Rejecting 8M with that in mind is a risk.

As much as I would like Zohore and Manga to stay I think the risk would be not selling them now and them both leaving on a free next season.

Manga value wise isn't to much of a risk, his value isn't going to go up much more, 31 now, he would be 32 when out of contract. For a little more we will have Flint on a longer contract.

id rather keep managa for a season and let him go than pay 6m for a 30 year old flint

As much as I would like Zohore and Manga to stay I think the risk would be not selling them now and them both leaving on a free next season.

Manga value wise isn't to much of a risk, his value isn't going to go up much more, 31 now, he would be 32 when out of contract. For a little more we will have Flint on a longer contract.

id rather keep managa for a season and let him go than pay 6m for a 30 year old flint

We need to sign another RB if Manga leaves too. Would much rather keep Manga. Zohore on the other hand is brilliant business for us.

As much as I would like Zohore and Manga to stay I think the risk would be not selling them now and them both leaving on a free next season.

Manga value wise isn't to much of a risk, his value isn't going to go up much more, 31 now, he would be 32 when out of contract. For a little more we will have Flint on a longer contract.

id rather keep managa for a season and let him go than pay 6m for a 30 year old flint

If we let Manga go on a free it would mean we would need pay around 6 million of our own money for a replacement. At least this way, we only have to pay 50% of the fee.

Business wise, remember football is a business, selling Manga now makes sense. I must admit though, I think we should be getting more than 3 million for him.

As much as I would like Zohore and Manga to stay I think the risk would be not selling them now and them both leaving on a free next season.

Manga value wise isn't to much of a risk, his value isn't going to go up much more, 31 now, he would be 32 when out of contract. For a little more we will have Flint on a longer contract.

id rather keep managa for a season and let him go than pay 6m for a 30 year old flint

I'm sure I read it was 4m plus add ons, so it's only 1m more for someone 2 years younger and on a longer deal.

I'm not sold on it myself but can see why.

I think holding onto him, in the hope he rediscovers scoring form and consistency is a bigger risk. If that back fires, we lose him on a free.

Fully agree

No, nimo..
One year left on contract, really only had one good half season for us..
Ken on his day can be unplayable, but unfortunately hasn’t really taken that extra step.
Maybe change of club is whY he needs, will probably do well first few games..
good business by the club.

If the figure is correct it's good business for someone who hasn't struggled over 3 years to hold down a place dispite his quality

As much as I would like Zohore and Manga to stay I think the risk would be not selling them now and them both leaving on a free next season.

Manga value wise isn't to much of a risk, his value isn't going to go up much more, 31 now, he would be 32 when out of contract. For a little more we will have Flint on a longer contract.

id rather keep managa for a season and let him go than pay 6m for a 30 year old flint

If we let Manga go on a free it would mean we would need pay around 6 million of our own money for a replacement. At least this way, we only have to pay 50% of the fee.

Business wise, remember football is a business, selling Manga now makes sense. I must admit though, I think we should be getting more than 3 million for him.

rubbish. 3m is nothing and weve thrown dead money after flint.

As much as I would like Zohore and Manga to stay I think the risk would be not selling them now and them both leaving on a free next season.

Manga value wise isn't to much of a risk, his value isn't going to go up much more, 31 now, he would be 32 when out of contract. For a little more we will have Flint on a longer contract.

id rather keep managa for a season and let him go than pay 6m for a 30 year old flint

I'm sure I read it was 4m plus add ons, so it's only 1m more for someone 2 years younger and on a longer deal.

I'm not sold on it myself but can see why.

1 year younger isnt it? and the important part.... not as good

As much as I would like Zohore and Manga to stay I think the risk would be not selling them now and them both leaving on a free next season.

Manga value wise isn't to much of a risk, his value isn't going to go up much more, 31 now, he would be 32 when out of contract. For a little more we will have Flint on a longer contract.

id rather keep managa for a season and let him go than pay 6m for a 30 year old flint

If we let Manga go on a free it would mean we would need pay around 6 million of our own money for a replacement. At least this way, we only have to pay 50% of the fee.

Business wise, remember football is a business, selling Manga now makes sense. I must admit though, I think we should be getting more than 3 million for him.

rubbish. 3m is nothing and weve thrown dead money after flint.

I definitely wouldn't consider 3 million as 'nothing'. We are a club who are trying to be self sufficient and still have a lot of debt. Balancing the books is important and as Dalman stated, parachute payments aren't as black and white as they seem.

Flint is a very good centre back at this level. I would definitely prefer Manga, but if he wants to go then we should cash in. Its not good for the harmony of the squad holding onto players who may want to leave, or be unsettled.

As much as I would like Zohore and Manga to stay I think the risk would be not selling them now and them both leaving on a free next season.

Manga value wise isn't to much of a risk, his value isn't going to go up much more, 31 now, he would be 32 when out of contract. For a little more we will have Flint on a longer contract.

id rather keep managa for a season and let him go than pay 6m for a 30 year old flint

If we let Manga go on a free it would mean we would need pay around 6 million of our own money for a replacement. At least this way, we only have to pay 50% of the fee.

Business wise, remember football is a business, selling Manga now makes sense. I must admit though, I think we should be getting more than 3 million for him.

rubbish. 3m is nothing and weve thrown dead money after flint.

I definitely wouldn't consider 3 million as 'nothing'. We are a club who are trying to be self sufficient and still have a lot of debt. Balancing the books is important and as Dalman stated, parachute payments aren't as black and white as they seem.

Flint is a very good centre back at this level. I would definitely prefer Manga, but if he wants to go then we should cash in. Its not good for the harmony of the squad holding onto players who may want to leave, or be unsettled.

How can you talk about balancing the books with a straight face when we just signed a 30 year old with no future value for 6m

As much as I would like Zohore and Manga to stay I think the risk would be not selling them now and them both leaving on a free next season.

Manga value wise isn't to much of a risk, his value isn't going to go up much more, 31 now, he would be 32 when out of contract. For a little more we will have Flint on a longer contract.

id rather keep managa for a season and let him go than pay 6m for a 30 year old flint

If we let Manga go on a free it would mean we would need pay around 6 million of our own money for a replacement. At least this way, we only have to pay 50% of the fee.

Business wise, remember football is a business, selling Manga now makes sense. I must admit though, I think we should be getting more than 3 million for him.

rubbish. 3m is nothing and weve thrown dead money after flint.

I definitely wouldn't consider 3 million as 'nothing'. We are a club who are trying to be self sufficient and still have a lot of debt. Balancing the books is important and as Dalman stated, parachute payments aren't as black and white as they seem.

Flint is a very good centre back at this level. I would definitely prefer Manga, but if he wants to go then we should cash in. Its not good for the harmony of the squad holding onto players who may want to leave, or be unsettled.

How can you talk about balancing the books with a straight face when we just signed a 30 year old with no future value for 6m

We would have lost Manga for free at the end of the season and then would have had to have paid a further 3 million to sign a replacement. So yes, it makes good financial sense as it saves us money in the long term.

The club probably see it this way too, otherwise we would have kept hold of him.

As much as I would like Zohore and Manga to stay I think the risk would be not selling them now and them both leaving on a free next season.

Manga value wise isn't to much of a risk, his value isn't going to go up much more, 31 now, he would be 32 when out of contract. For a little more we will have Flint on a longer contract.

id rather keep managa for a season and let him go than pay 6m for a 30 year old flint

If we let Manga go on a free it would mean we would need pay around 6 million of our own money for a replacement. At least this way, we only have to pay 50% of the fee.

Business wise, remember football is a business, selling Manga now makes sense. I must admit though, I think we should be getting more than 3 million for him.

rubbish. 3m is nothing and weve thrown dead money after flint.

I definitely wouldn't consider 3 million as 'nothing'. We are a club who are trying to be self sufficient and still have a lot of debt. Balancing the books is important and as Dalman stated, parachute payments aren't as black and white as they seem.

Flint is a very good centre back at this level. I would definitely prefer Manga, but if he wants to go then we should cash in. Its not good for the harmony of the squad holding onto players who may want to leave, or be unsettled.

How can you talk about balancing the books with a straight face when we just signed a 30 year old with no future value for 6m

We would have lost Manga for free at the end of the season and then would have had to have paid a further 3 million to sign a replacement. So yes, it makes good financial sense as it saves us money in the long term.

The club probably see it this way too, otherwise we would have kept hold of him.

at the detriment of the quality of the playing squad so not really that good at all.

i wonder who at the club thinks the signing of flint is good business sense. Totally baffling summer of transfers so far.

As much as I would like Zohore and Manga to stay I think the risk would be not selling them now and them both leaving on a free next season.

Manga value wise isn't to much of a risk, his value isn't going to go up much more, 31 now, he would be 32 when out of contract. For a little more we will have Flint on a longer contract.

id rather keep managa for a season and let him go than pay 6m for a 30 year old flint

If we let Manga go on a free it would mean we would need pay around 6 million of our own money for a replacement. At least this way, we only have to pay 50% of the fee.

Business wise, remember football is a business, selling Manga now makes sense. I must admit though, I think we should be getting more than 3 million for him.

rubbish. 3m is nothing and weve thrown dead money after flint.

I definitely wouldn't consider 3 million as 'nothing'. We are a club who are trying to be self sufficient and still have a lot of debt. Balancing the books is important and as Dalman stated, parachute payments aren't as black and white as they seem.

Flint is a very good centre back at this level. I would definitely prefer Manga, but if he wants to go then we should cash in. Its not good for the harmony of the squad holding onto players who may want to leave, or be unsettled.

How can you talk about balancing the books with a straight face when we just signed a 30 year old with no future value for 6m

We would have lost Manga for free at the end of the season and then would have had to have paid a further 3 million to sign a replacement. So yes, it makes good financial sense as it saves us money in the long term.

The club probably see it this way too, otherwise we would have kept hold of him.

at the detriment of the quality of the playing squad so not really that good at all.

i wonder who at the club thinks the signing of flint is good business sense. Totally baffling summer of transfers so far.

Like I said, we would all prefer Bruno to stay but if reports are true that he wants to return to France, we should let him go. It would be very difficult to find a replacement who is better than him, considering he is Premier league quality (in my opinion at least).

So bringing in an experienced defender at this level to replace him, is good enough. I think you should give Flint an opportunity to prove himself, rather than shoot him down before hes even signed a contract.

As much as I would like Zohore and Manga to stay I think the risk would be not selling them now and them both leaving on a free next season.

Manga value wise isn't to much of a risk, his value isn't going to go up much more, 31 now, he would be 32 when out of contract. For a little more we will have Flint on a longer contract.

id rather keep managa for a season and let him go than pay 6m for a 30 year old flint

If we let Manga go on a free it would mean we would need pay around 6 million of our own money for a replacement. At least this way, we only have to pay 50% of the fee.

Business wise, remember football is a business, selling Manga now makes sense. I must admit though, I think we should be getting more than 3 million for him.

rubbish. 3m is nothing and weve thrown dead money after flint.

I definitely wouldn't consider 3 million as 'nothing'. We are a club who are trying to be self sufficient and still have a lot of debt. Balancing the books is important and as Dalman stated, parachute payments aren't as black and white as they seem.

Flint is a very good centre back at this level. I would definitely prefer Manga, but if he wants to go then we should cash in. Its not good for the harmony of the squad holding onto players who may want to leave, or be unsettled.

How can you talk about balancing the books with a straight face when we just signed a 30 year old with no future value for 6m

We would have lost Manga for free at the end of the season and then would have had to have paid a further 3 million to sign a replacement. So yes, it makes good financial sense as it saves us money in the long term.

The club probably see it this way too, otherwise we would have kept hold of him.

at the detriment of the quality of the playing squad so not really that good at all.

i wonder who at the club thinks the signing of flint is good business sense. Totally baffling summer of transfers so far.

Like I said, we would all prefer Bruno to stay but if reports are true that he wants to return to France, we should let him go. It would be very difficult to find a replacement who is better than him, considering he is Premier league quality (in my opinion at least).

So bringing in an experienced defender at this level to replace him, is good enough. I think you should give Flint an opportunity to prove himself, rather than shoot him down before hes even signed a contract.

Its not about Flint, hes decent enough though not as good as Manga. its the club im angry about. why are we spending so much money on a 30 year old centre back. people praising the club for good business for some reason, when here is yet another example of poor business that seems to be being ignored.

Reported that Bruno may now go to Dijon.

We really need to have a striker in soon and not leave it up to the transfer window.

As much as I would like Zohore and Manga to stay I think the risk would be not selling them now and them both leaving on a free next season.

Manga value wise isn't to much of a risk, his value isn't going to go up much more, 31 now, he would be 32 when out of contract. For a little more we will have Flint on a longer contract.

id rather keep managa for a season and let him go than pay 6m for a 30 year old flint

If we let Manga go on a free it would mean we would need pay around 6 million of our own money for a replacement. At least this way, we only have to pay 50% of the fee.

Business wise, remember football is a business, selling Manga now makes sense. I must admit though, I think we should be getting more than 3 million for him.

rubbish. 3m is nothing and weve thrown dead money after flint.

I definitely wouldn't consider 3 million as 'nothing'. We are a club who are trying to be self sufficient and still have a lot of debt. Balancing the books is important and as Dalman stated, parachute payments aren't as black and white as they seem.

Flint is a very good centre back at this level. I would definitely prefer Manga, but if he wants to go then we should cash in. Its not good for the harmony of the squad holding onto players who may want to leave, or be unsettled.

How can you talk about balancing the books with a straight face when we just signed a 30 year old with no future value for 6m

We would have lost Manga for free at the end of the season and then would have had to have paid a further 3 million to sign a replacement. So yes, it makes good financial sense as it saves us money in the long term.

The club probably see it this way too, otherwise we would have kept hold of him.

at the detriment of the quality of the playing squad so not really that good at all.

i wonder who at the club thinks the signing of flint is good business sense. Totally baffling summer of transfers so far.

Like I said, we would all prefer Bruno to stay but if reports are true that he wants to return to France, we should let him go. It would be very difficult to find a replacement who is better than him, considering he is Premier league quality (in my opinion at least).

So bringing in an experienced defender at this level to replace him, is good enough. I think you should give Flint an opportunity to prove himself, rather than shoot him down before hes even signed a contract.

Its not about Flint, hes decent enough though not as good as Manga. its the club im angry about. why are we spending so much money on a 30 year old centre back. people praising the club for good business for some reason, when here is yet another example of poor business that seems to be being ignored.

3m is nothing and this lad has probably got 3/4 seasons in him yet.Good enough to sell this time next year should we make the prem and the manager does not deem him good enough.Also,in your opinion whats available out there for the money anyway?Nelson was good business.Whats his transfer value now that we've got him under contract?A couple of mil at least I would have thought and that for a guy thats yet to prove himself at championship level.

As much as I would like Zohore and Manga to stay I think the risk would be not selling them now and them both leaving on a free next season.

Manga value wise isn't to much of a risk, his value isn't going to go up much more, 31 now, he would be 32 when out of contract. For a little more we will have Flint on a longer contract.

id rather keep managa for a season and let him go than pay 6m for a 30 year old flint

If we let Manga go on a free it would mean we would need pay around 6 million of our own money for a replacement. At least this way, we only have to pay 50% of the fee.

Business wise, remember football is a business, selling Manga now makes sense. I must admit though, I think we should be getting more than 3 million for him.

rubbish. 3m is nothing and weve thrown dead money after flint.

I definitely wouldn't consider 3 million as 'nothing'. We are a club who are trying to be self sufficient and still have a lot of debt. Balancing the books is important and as Dalman stated, parachute payments aren't as black and white as they seem.

Flint is a very good centre back at this level. I would definitely prefer Manga, but if he wants to go then we should cash in. Its not good for the harmony of the squad holding onto players who may want to leave, or be unsettled.

How can you talk about balancing the books with a straight face when we just signed a 30 year old with no future value for 6m

We would have lost Manga for free at the end of the season and then would have had to have paid a further 3 million to sign a replacement. So yes, it makes good financial sense as it saves us money in the long term.

The club probably see it this way too, otherwise we would have kept hold of him.

at the detriment of the quality of the playing squad so not really that good at all.

i wonder who at the club thinks the signing of flint is good business sense. Totally baffling summer of transfers so far.

Like I said, we would all prefer Bruno to stay but if reports are true that he wants to return to France, we should let him go. It would be very difficult to find a replacement who is better than him, considering he is Premier league quality (in my opinion at least).

So bringing in an experienced defender at this level to replace him, is good enough. I think you should give Flint an opportunity to prove himself, rather than shoot him down before hes even signed a contract.

Its not about Flint, hes decent enough though not as good as Manga. its the club im angry about. why are we spending so much money on a 30 year old centre back. people praising the club for good business for some reason, when here is yet another example of poor business that seems to be being ignored.

I guess it's subjective, because I personally see it as good business. Selling someone now for 3 million who would otherwise go at the end of the season for free. Spending a further 3 mill (although I imagine 2/3 of that additional 3 mill is in add ons) on a proven Championship defender who is 30 and probably in the prime of his career.

My only complaint is I think we could have gotten more for Manga, more in the 5 mill region.

3m is nothing and this lad has probably got 3/4 seasons in him yet.Good enough to sell this time next year should we make the prem and the manager does not deem him good enough.Also,in your opinion whats available out there for the money anyway?Nelson was good business.Whats his transfer value now that we've got him under contract?A couple of mil at least I would have thought and that for a guy thats yet to prove himself at championship level.

I couldn't possibly comment on Nelson. If I've ever seen him play I can't remember it.

For me, our squad is weaker than it was a week ago, yes the window is stil open so we can't judge till it closes. But I think our net spend this summer is now around -2m?

The problem isn't flint himself, though as someone els pointed out, it leaves us lacking pace a bit more and less mobile at the back. The problem for me is the business. There's no reason to believe manga wouldn't give his all for a final season before moving back to France in the summer and personally, like gunnersson, I'd have preferred that over what's currently happened.