**Inside Cardiff City’s Pre-Season: Senior Absentees, Rising Talents and New Faces in the Spotlight**
Cardiff City have entered the second week of their pre-season preparations, with activity mounting at their Vale of Glamorgan training complex. The players have returned to business under the guidance of new head coach Brian Barry-Murphy, who is eager to lay down his tactical ideas ahead of the looming League One campaign. Alongside the gruelling fitness drills, Barry-Murphy is reshaping both his squad and backroom staff in what is shaping up to be a transformational summer for the Bluebirds.
In a noticeable shift, the club has bolstered its coaching set-up. Lee Riley and Kevin Gibbins have joined the coaching ranks, while analysts Luke Foulkes and Rob Clarke have been recruited to provide deeper insights as part of Barry-Murphy’s support team. The addition of these fresh faces behind the scenes is widely seen as a move towards a more data-driven and modern approach to the game, traits often favoured by managers with a progressive outlook.
However, this new era has not been without conspicuous absentees. Recent club-released training footage has prompted discussion amongst supporters, with three high-profile names—Callum Robinson, Callum O’Dowda, and Perry Ng—all missing from the latest sessions. Their absence has led to speculation regarding possible imminent departures, particularly as all are known to be among the top earners and have drawn interest from other clubs. Robinson has been linked to a return to Preston North End, whilst O’Dowda is rumoured to be on the radar of Oxford United, his former team. Ng, twice the supporters’ player of the season, has also been subject to interest.
The atmosphere among fans is one of cautious anticipation. Cardiff’s chairman Mehmet Dalman has already made it clear that the squad needs to be streamlined, a stance reinforced by the departure of nine out-of-contract players and the exit of Michael Reindorf and Roko Simic following their loan spells. With little activity on the incoming transfer front, anxieties persist that further outgoings could leave the squad worryingly thin. Nevertheless, club insiders maintain that reinforcements are on the agenda, and that promoting from within will be a significant part of the strategy this season.
In keeping with the club’s revitalised youth focus, several academy players have been integrated into senior training. Talented youngsters such as Tanatswa Nyakuhwa, Joel Colwill, Ronan Kpakio and Dylan Lawlor have all participated, having previously made their senior debuts. Meanwhile, less familiar faces like 18-year-old midfielder Dakarai Mafico, and goalkeeper Jake Dennis, who recently completed loan spells at Gloucester City and Oldham Athletic, are also being given an opportunity to impress. It remains to be seen which, if any, of these prospects will secure a prominent role in the first team, but Barry-Murphy’s track record at youth development makes this an area to watch closely.
Among the group, one particular player stands out due to his mysterious status: Ryotaro Tsunoda. Since joining Cardiff from Yokohama F. Marinos last January, Tsunoda has yet to make a competitive appearance for the Bluebirds. He spent much of the past eighteen months on loan at KV Kortrijk in Belgium’s top division, impressing before suffering a significant hamstring injury. Now fit and back in Wales, Tsunoda’s dynamic style—especially as a left-footed centre-back—could suit Barry-Murphy’s system, particularly as squad depth becomes a growing concern in defence.
Training videos released by the club have also highlighted Barry-Murphy’s hands-on approach. Eschewing the traditional ‘manager’ role in favour of ‘head coach’, the Irishman is seen actively orchestrating drills, frequently offering on-the-spot tactical instructions to the likes of Joel Colwill and returning forward Kion Etete. Barry-Murphy’s penchant for high tempo, incisive football is already apparent in the urgency and communication on the training ground—an approach he no doubt hopes will translate to competitive matches.
As with many clubs in transition, the pre-season period serves not only as a physical tune-up for the players but also offers clues about which individuals will rise to the forefront. With uncertainty still clouding the futures of some established stars, supporters will be keenly observing for signs of new leaders and breakthrough talents. Whether this mix of experience, untested youth, and international recruits can gel quickly enough remains a story worth following as Cardiff gear up for a challenging season ahead.
Supporters, although naturally anxious given the present state of flux, may take some comfort from the clear vision and intensity brought in by Barry-Murphy and his staff. The coming weeks will be pivotal in setting the tone for the campaign—both on the pitch and in the transfer market. As new hierarchies begin to emerge and faces old and new vie for their place, Cardiff City’s pre-season is proving to be as intriguing as it is important.