Joe Ledley: Casualty of Versatility?

Cardiff City have certainly strengthened since the beginning of last season (Chopra’s sale aside). There will be greater squad depth and competition for places this time around.


Cardiff have some great young talent, including Welsh youngster Joe Ledley who is highly rated by Dave Jones and who played in every league game for Cardiff last season. Ledley’s versatility allowed him to play at left back, left midfield and in the centre of midfield:


But will his verstility cost him?



We now have Peter Whittingham, an exciting prospect and a more conventional winger to play on the left. Kevin McNaughton and Tony Capaldi are both extremely capable full-backs while in central midfield Dave Jones has made Stephen McPhail a lynchpin of the side.


McPhail started off exceptionally last season but his form tailed off as City lost confidence. His passes were sideways and he failed to dictate games, Joe Ledley outplayed him when they did play together but they are not a good pairing as a unit and both needs a more defensive partner.


McPhail was reportedly the subject of a £1m bid this summer, and he has been rewarded with talks on a new contract. It seems that McPhail is an integral part of the Bluebirds’ plans and will start the season as first choice.



So Joe Ledley, one of the brightest talents to emerge and a permanent fixture in the past few seasons could find himself a casualty of his own versitility and may be resigned to the bench.


Of course, the competition and depth is excellent but it seems harsh on a homtown lad who has given his all in every position and not been allowed to ‘make one his all’. One thing is for certain, he has the ability to displace any of the players in his 3 positions and DJ has already proven he is always looking to fit Ledley in somewhere.





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