Premier League 2018/19 review: Sala’s death puts things into perspective for Cardiff
The tragic death of Emiliano Sala put things into perspective in football and revealed a darker side to the game too easily brushed under the carpet. Cardiff signed Sala from Nantes in a club-record deal in January but the Argentine never made it to his first training session, losing his life in a plane crash en route to Wales at the age of just 28.
Neil Warnock revealed he contemplated retiring from football in the aftermath of Sala’s death, describing it the most difficult week of his career. The 70-year-old ended up seeing out the season but couldn’t steer the club clear of relegation and his future will be decided in the next few weeks.
Cardiff were one of the favourites to be relegated before the start of the season but the Bluebirds stayed in the mix to beat the drop longer than many anticipated. Injuries to key players in the second half of the season made things even more difficult for Warnock’s side and the Welsh outfit also suffered some questionable refereeing decisions. They at least got to finish the season on a high, winning 2-0 away to Manchester United.
Top rated player – Sol Bamba (7.15)
Cardiff were promoted to the Premier League with the joint best defensive record (39 goals conceded) but there were reservations whether Sol Bamba, who was 33 at the start of this season, would cut it in England’s top-flight.
Bamba’s season ended in March due to a long-term knee injury but the veteran certainly performed better than expected, certainly statistically speaking. He finished the campaign as the only Cardiff player with a WhoScored rating above 7.00, for example.
Not only did he post numbers such as 2.7 tackles per 90, 3.0 interceptions per 90 and 6.4 clearances per 90, but he also weighed in with four goals – only two Cardiff players netted more.
Biggest Disappointment – Oumar Niasse
Only Huddersfield (22) scored fewer goals than Cardiff (34) in the Premier League this season and January signing Oumar Niasse failed to have the desired effect.
Cardiff have an option to make Niasse’s loan stint from Everton permanent this summer but it would be a huge shock if they did. Niasse failed to score a single Premier League goal in 13 appearances and only hit the target with six of his 17 attempts.
In fact, only four players have had more shots in the Premier League without scoring in 2019 than Niasse (17) and the 29-year-old didn’t make his debut until the middle of January.
Surprise Package - Victor Camarasa
Cardiff signed Victor Camarasa on loan from Real Betis last summer and the unheard of Spaniard emerged as one of the club’s best players this season, even drawing brief links to Tottenham.
The 24-year-old finished the campaign with five goals and four assists in 32 matches, only one fewer than he managed in 89 league appearances spread across his three previous campaigns.
He struggled with injury towards the end of the season and won’t be at Cardiff next year, but it wouldn’t be a surprise if another Premier League side came in for him in the summer.
Where to Improve – Replace departing loan players
Whoever is Cardiff manager next season will need assurances about money to spend. Sol Bamba will almost certainly miss the start of next season, while the likes of Victor Camarasa, Harry Arter and Oumar Niasse have returned to their parent clubs.
Cardiff shouldn’t have to worry about Premier League interest in their players, though goalkeeper Neil Etheridge could prop up on the radar of some clubs after some impressive displays this season. With that in mind, Cardiff should be primed for a relatively good season in the Championship, as long as they can get players through the door to replace those that were only on loan.
Goals proved a problem for Cardiff this season but dropping back to the Championship could get the best out of Kenneth Zohore again. The 25-year-old never got going this term but did play an important role in helping Cardiff get promoted from the Championship in 2017/18.
League Position: 18th
Grade: D
