Omer Riza delivers contract recommendations to Cardiff City board as verdict given on each player
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.
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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 said.
"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.”
Here, we take a look at the players out of contract and deliver our verdict on whether they should stay or be allowed to leave...
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
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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
