BREAKDOWN: OUT OF CONTRACT PLAYERS THIS SUMMER

Omer Riza delivers contract recommendations to Cardiff City board as verdict given on each player
The Bluebirds boss knows that a dozen of his players can now start talking to different clubs with their contracts expiring
By Glen Williams

Cardiff City have a dozen players out of contract in the summer.

The Bluebirds have failed to tie down a single player since this season started, a polar opposite to how proceedings unfolded last season under the relative stability and mid-table comfort we saw during Erol Bulut's first campaign.

This season has been total chaos by contrast. A poor summer window, the worst start in the club's history, a manager sacking and more than two months of indecision over whether to appoint Omer Riza on a permanent basis. And we are only halfway through the term.

It's symptomatic of larger problems at play within the cub and its structure, of course, but Riza himself is trying to push forward and plan for the future the best he can, with his own contract only having six months left to run.

The manager has submitted his own preferences to the board regarding which players he would like to see extend their stay beyond this season, with 12 players now free to speak to other clubs and sign pre-contract agreements.

“All conversations have taken place regarding players out of contract at the end of the year. Now it's the process of finalising and making decisions," Riza saiid.

"I’ve spoken to the board about who we feel could progress further forwards. Those processes have started. It all depends whether [the board] agree or not.”


These are the players out of contract and deliver Glen’s verdict on whether they should stay or be allowed to leave…

What do you think...?


Jak Alnwick

Barring the odd, rare mistake, Alnwick has been pretty dependable with the gloves. Excellent with his feet and one of the leaders within the group, having adorned the captain's arm band for large chunks this season.

Verdict: Keep


Dimitrios Goutas

Arguably the best transfer business Bulut did during his first year at the club. An excellent fit for the Championship and never gives less than his all. Needs to be at the club next season. Sign up to our daily Cardiff City newsletter here.

Verdict: Keep


Jamilu Collins

Been frozen out of the squad and has two players ahead of him in the pecking order in the form of Callum O'Dowda and Joel Bagan. Wouldn't be a surprise to see him leave this month, let alone in the summer.

Verdict: Release


Callum O’Dowda

One of the few players who can always walk off the pitch with his head held high despite the club's horrific results since he was signed. Empties the tank game after game. Be great to see him stay.

Verdict: Keep


Andy Rinomhota

Becoming an increasingly important squad player. Has his limitations but in the dogfight is the sort of character you want to keep around.

Verdict: Keep


Aaron Ramsey

The most complicated call. Fit and firing he is a huge, huge asset, but the glow is dimming on his magnificent comeback. Not back until March and has played just 17 times in a year and a half, fans' patience is running thin and his future at Cardiff looks in more doubt with each passing week. Club have an option to extend by another year, but it's best to leave this one as late as possible.

Verdict: Jury's out


Joe Ralls

One of the leaders in the pack and while he, like Rinomhota, has his limitations, he is still a standard-setter, a strong voice and important player to have around. Injuries starting to pile up on him, but he's worthy of an extension and there's an option in his deal to do that, anyway.

Verdict: Keep


Anwar El Ghazi

A transfer which has not quite worked out. Has had fleeting moments but has taken longer than anticipated to get up to speed and has had injury issues. Doesn't have the emotional, homegrown pull of club legend Ramsey, either, so makes this call easier.

Verdict: Release


Yakou Méïté

Has his uses but his goal return has been nowhere near the standard needed. While he has taken a lot of criticism from supporters, he conducted himself poorly after scoring away at Coventry, particularly given his numbers. Cardiff have to upgrade.

Verdict: Release


Isaak Davies

You have to feel for the young striker, whose career just cannot get going. But he's worth persevering with, just because he has that pace and offers something different. Here's hoping this latest injury hasn't taken its toll.

Verdict: Keep


Kion Etete

Another young striker whose career you are waiting to see ignite. Injury issues have set him back, but while he's had his moments, he likely needs to go and kickstart his career elsewhere.

Verdict: Release


Callum Robinson

Shamefully, in the last seven seasons only Kieffer Moore has scored more goals in a single campaign than Robinson's eight so far this term. A player of quality at this level and needs to be tied down.

Verdict: Keep

in my humble opinion

Alnwick need bigger and better RELEASE
JC sems to have burned his bridges RELEASE
ralls best days behind him RELEASE
Ramsey injured far too often RELEASE
El ghazi failed too impress RELEASE
Meite tries hard we need better RELEASE
Etete injured far too often RELEASE

Excellent summary
Only disagree regarding Etete who I believe could be a decent championship striker but his injury record is a concern …would give him 2 year deal

For me:

Jak Alnwick

He isn’t a world beater, but what he is, is a solid championship goalkeeper who the defence seem to trust. Has his odd moments but we could do a lot worse.

Verdict: Keep


Dimitrios Goutas

A strong CB and with Chambers moving to midfield we are in need of him. I still have doubts over Daland and Fish. Has been a good signing.

Verdict: Keep


Jamilu Collins

Strange one here, looked good towards the end of last season before his injury. Since then COD and Bagan have done enough to keep him out. Wouldn’t be sad to see him go.

Verdict: Release


Callum O’Dowda

Can play anywhere on the left side, is one of our players who actually cares, and has a bit about him. Definitely keep.

Verdict: Keep


Andy Rinomhota

Start of the season would have said release. He’s changed my mind. A solid pro who can play multiple positions. Keep.

Verdict: Keep


Aaron Ramsey

Easy one for me. Get rid. Now. What a waste of money. Even when he’s fit he looks a shadow of his former self and he’s not able to play even 10 games a season.

Verdict: Release


Joe Ralls

I’d keep, just because of his experience and he can still do a job in that midfield as a cover player for injury/suspension.

Verdict: Keep


Anwar El Ghazi

Has been crap. Get rid.

Verdict: Release


Yakou Méïté

Not good enough.

Verdict: Release


Isaak Davies

Too early to say for sure as he’s been out injured, but in my opinion he’s not the 15 goal forward we need, and he will struggle. We need better

Verdict: release


Kion Etete

Donkey. 6 goals in 2 seasons.

Verdict: Release


Callum Robinson

Until we bring in a striker, we need him.

Keep

Depends if we stay up or not I suppose

Alnwick - Keep.
JC -Get rid. Flop.
O'Dowda - Keep. Make club captain. When fit, one of our best players.
Rino - Keep. Squad player, gives his all.
Ralls - Reduced contract/Keep.
Ramsey -Get rid. Flop.
El Ghazi -Get rid. Flop.
Meite -Get rid. Flop.
Isaak - Needs to earn a contract in the first half of '25. If not by injury or poor performance; get rid.
Etete -Get rid. Flop.
Robbo - Time for a move. Big earner. Done OK overall, maybe slightly under performed. Get rid.

One things for certain, none of the above will be in huge demand from clubs above us.

Alnwick - Keep.
JC -Get rid. Flop.
O'Dowda - Keep. Make club captain. When fit, one of our best players.
Rino - Keep. Squad player, gives his all.
Ralls - Reduced contract/Keep.
Ramsey -Get rid. Flop.
El Ghazi -Get rid. Flop.
Meite -Get rid. Flop.
Isaak - Needs to earn a contract in the first half of '25. If not by injury or poor performance; get rid.
Etete -Get rid. Flop.
Robbo - Time for a move. Big earner. Done OK overall, maybe slightly under performed. Get rid.

One things for certain, none of the above will be in huge demand from clubs above us.

I’d agree with all the above apart from Robbo. We won’t have anyone to score goals if he leaves.

Alnwick - Keep.
JC -Get rid. Flop.
O'Dowda - Keep. Make club captain. When fit, one of our best players.
Rino - Keep. Squad player, gives his all.
Ralls - Reduced contract/Keep.
Ramsey -Get rid. Flop.
El Ghazi -Get rid. Flop.
Meite -Get rid. Flop.
Isaak - Needs to earn a contract in the first half of '25. If not by injury or poor performance; get rid.
Etete -Get rid. Flop.
Robbo - Time for a move. Big earner. Done OK overall, maybe slightly under performed. Get rid.

One things for certain, none of the above will be in huge demand from clubs above us.

I think Oxford would take O’Dowda back.

O'Dowda - Extend, I agree about captaincy
Rino - Extend if he wants but may want to be a starter elsewhere
Ralls - Player / coach but a deep squad player with a contract to suit
Isaak - 12-month extension, fingers crossed he makes a full recovery
Goutas- Extend


Alnwick - Release, makes only the saves he should make, his footballing ability is overstated don't think i have ever seen a quick release.
CR - Release, best days behind him,
JC -Release
Ramsey -Release
El Ghazi -Release
Meite -Release

Keep Robinson, O'Dowda, Goutas and Rinomhota. The rest can go.

I still think Alnwick is vastly overrated. He saves a lot, but they're all saves I'd expect a Championship goalkeeper to make. He lets in goals he shouldn't and his kicking is awful. We need a new goalkeeper because Horvath isn't up to much.

Ralls has been a brilliant player for us but unfortunately can't do it at this level anymore, mainly due to fitness issues.

Keep Ramsey as a coach but not as a player.

Keep Robinson, O'Dowda, Goutas and Rinomhota. The rest can go.

I still think Alnwick is vastly overrated. He saves a lot, but they're all saves I'd expect a Championship goalkeeper to make. He lets in goals he shouldn't and his kicking is awful. We need a new goalkeeper because Horvath isn't up to much.

Ralls has been a brilliant player for us but unfortunately can't do it at this level anymore, mainly due to fitness issues.

Keep Ramsey as a coach but not as a player.

Rambo why not player coach?
Can work on a financial basis..

Keep Robinson, O'Dowda, Goutas and Rinomhota. The rest can go.

I still think Alnwick is vastly overrated. He saves a lot, but they're all saves I'd expect a Championship goalkeeper to make. He lets in goals he shouldn't and his kicking is awful. We need a new goalkeeper because Horvath isn't up to much.

Ralls has been a brilliant player for us but unfortunately can't do it at this level anymore, mainly due to fitness issues.

Keep Ramsey as a coach but not as a player.

Rambo why not player coach?
Can work on a financial basis..

If he takes a big pay cut then yes, but not sure he'd go for that.

Keep Robinson, O'Dowda, Goutas and Rinomhota. The rest can go.

I still think Alnwick is vastly overrated. He saves a lot, but they're all saves I'd expect a Championship goalkeeper to make. He lets in goals he shouldn't and his kicking is awful. We need a new goalkeeper because Horvath isn't up to much.

Ralls has been a brilliant player for us but unfortunately can't do it at this level anymore, mainly due to fitness issues.

Keep Ramsey as a coach but not as a player.

Rambo why not player coach?
Can work on a financial basis..

If he would accept a coaching contract pay, with an appearance fee should he be fit enough to play at least 45 mins of a game then sure, other than that, he should go

If we are trying to get a decent CF then definitely Release Robinson never impressed me and doesn’t challenge/ close down out of possessionand at 30 he is not getting better.
Meite works quite hard but not enough quality. Ralls and Ramsey have been fine players but again age and injuries mean they should be released.
Obviously Collins can go.

I would keep Etete as he is improving and did quite well when he had a run in the team. But City look like they are selling him - another mistake imho..
I’d defo keep Rino O Dowda and Alnwick. Open minded about the others.

Get a CF who can head the ball and hold the ball up!