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Cardiff City have made excellent use of the free agent market during the summer transfer window, which has birthed heightened excitement and expectation among supporters.
Albeit through differing circumstances, Chris Willock, Calum Chambers and Anwar El Ghazi were all available as free agent transfers and the Bluebirds should be commended for attracting such pedigree, particularly in regards to the former Aston Villa duo.
It serves as all the required evidence for the effectiveness of utilising free transfers, which Cardiff now appear to be making better use of than they had done in previous years.
Although the Bluebirds now find themselves with money to spend, without the shackles of a transfer embargo or the pertinent worry of falling foul of the English Football League’s Profit and Sustainability rules, there are further bargains to be found and Cardiff could be well-served by navigating the remainder of the window with one eye on free agents.
With that in mind, Football League World has decided to run the rule over two free agents that the Bluebirds should be looking to acquire this month.
Cardiff would have benefitted from signing an additional left-back regardless, but Jamilu Collins’ injury absence will likely plunge them further into the market and Brandon Williams may just be worth a punt.
As confirmed by Bulut in the wake of Cardiff’s final pre-season outing away at Bristol Rovers last weekend, Nigeria international Collins is set to spend the next six to eight weeks on the treatment table.
Left-sided midfielder Callum O’Dowda will be poised to deputise there – and deputise well, just as he has done previously – in Collins’ absence, but it’s no secret that his athletic and ball-carrying qualities are better optimised further upfield, which Cardiff must remember.
Williams, who was once touted for a glittering career at the highest level with Manchester United, is now a free agent following his release from the Red Devils.
He’s yet to find a new club, having endured a torrid time of it on loan with Ipswich Town in the Championship last season amid Leif Davis’ outstanding form and, pressingly, some off-field issues.
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