Neil Warnock has done a fantastic job since taking over as Cardiff manager. After less than two years in charge, the former QPR manager achieved promotion in just his second season with the Welsh club.
A 2nd place this season was confirmed on the final day following Fulham’s defeat away to Birmingham. Incredibly, this is the 8th promotion of Warnock’s managerial career, the first manager to achieve this feat in England’s professional divisions. The club will now enter their second ever Premier League spell and will be looking to stay longer than their last sole season stay.
Neil Warnock has been busy in recent days. Josh Murphy, twin-brother to Newcastle’s Jacob Murphy, signed from Norwich for £11 million and Preston’s left-back Greg Cunningham has also joined for £4 million. The Murphy twins could now become the first twins to ever play against each other in Premier League history! Marko Grujic returned to Liverpool after an impressive loan spell at the club.
With two signings already made this summer, Neil Warnock will look to add a few more players to help bolster his squad. The Welsh club are one of a number of clubs to be targeting relegated club West Brom, with moves for James McClean, Gareth Barry and Salomon Rondon all wanted. Rondon is a further target for Newcastle and Watford and may prefer a move to work under Rafa Benitez at Newcastle. James McClean would provide Cardiff with some much-needed Premier League experience and would be available for a cut-price fee. With 653 Premier League appearances, a League record, Gareth Barry would also provide top-flight experience and would be a welcome addition to the side.
West Ham’s Robert Snodgrass has also been linked with a move to the South Wales club. Snodgrass worked under Warnock at Leeds and Warnock has stated recently that ‘he could have cried’ when he found out the board had allowed Snodgrass to leave without him knowing in 2012. Warnock could well be the man to get the best back out of the Scot.
Forgotten Everton forward Oumar Niasse is also a target with the Bluebirds reportedly interested in either a permanent or loan-move for the Senegalese striker. After a successful loan spell last season, Cardiff fans want to see Liverpool’s Marko Grujic join the club permanently this summer. The Serbian is also a target for fellow new boys Fulham, and the clubs are likely to fight for his loan signature this summer.
Defender Joe Bennett is reportedly a target for Fulham, however, the club has said that he is not for sale. Both Junior Hoilett and Aron Gunnarsson see their contracts expire at the end of the month and could well leave the club if new deals cannot be agreed. It would perhaps be surprising if they leave the club after promotion. Hoilett scored 9 and assisted 11 in the Championship last season and his departure would cause an unwanted problem for the club.
Written by Dan Blank.
