Tue Jul 25, 2023 9:36 am
How Aaron Ramsey can unlock attack
We only saw 45 minutes of Aaron Ramsey out in Portugal, but he showed enough to get City supporters really excited by what he could offer over the course of a season.
If Ramsey plays 30 games this season, he will will have been worth while bringing back.
Not since Harry Wilson was on loan have City had someone with the ability to unlock defences at this level and Ramsey did that against Champions League opposition on Saturday evening.
With Cardiff needing goals, they need an expert playmaker to make that happen and Ramsey will certainly be that. Within 20 seconds of being on the pitch against Porto he played a creative ball in behind for Grant, who returned the favour before Ramsey drilled a first-time shot against the post.
He linked up well with Kieron Evans on the left, too, but City were in the decline in the game by then after making wholesale changes against quality opponents.
Ramsey's own goal return in recent seasons has been relatively meagre, but if he ups his numbers and provides the wingers and striker, whoever that might be, with quality service, it gives City every chance to improve on their miserable goal record last season.
Bulut appears to have his two pivots nailed down in Ryan Wintle and Joe Ralls. Some think that combination won't work, but if you are to afford Ramsey free rein in those danger areas in the pitch, perhaps you need a couple of warriors sitting in behind. Wintle also showed against Porto that he is looking to be more positive on the ball this season, too, playing a number of accurate long balls forward to start attacks.
It was only 45 minutes, but having Ramsey available and playing in the 10 will be so key to Cardiff aiming higher up the table.