As Cardiff City prepare for their return to League One, all eyes are on new head coach Brian Barry-Murphy as he approaches a crucial decision: identifying the players who will form the backbone of the Bluebirds’ promotion push. With pre-season now wrapped up and the league opener just days away, the summer fixtures have not only provided a testing ground for the squad, but also revealed a quintet of names who have forced themselves firmly into the manager’s thinking.
Cardiff’s relegation last season prompted a re-evaluation across the club, offering fresh opportunities to both established names and rising talents. In the course of an unbeaten pre-season campaign, some players have staked their claim to start, combining determination with intelligent performances that echo the possession-based ethos Barry-Murphy is keen to instil. This mix of youthful hunger and adaptability appears to be impressing the new coaching set-up, with particular praise reserved for younger players treating this season as a fresh start rather than a setback.
Insiders report that Barry-Murphy has been especially uplifted by the renewed sense of purpose running through the squad’s younger contingent. For a club recalibrating after disappointment, this shift in attitude is not insignificant—especially with the gruelling demands of a full League One season ahead. As Peterborough United prepare to visit the Cardiff City Stadium for the first league fixture, attention turns to those players who have delivered on the pitch and given Barry-Murphy much to ponder.
One name that has captured widespread attention is Eli King. The midfielder, long marked as a promising talent, seems to be reaching a pivotal moment in his career. With the departure of club captain Joe Ralls, King’s display throughout pre-season—particularly in the deep-lying midfield position—suggests he could be vital to Barry-Murphy’s tactical blueprint. King’s ability to keep possession, distribute under pressure, and unlock defences was highlighted in his defence-splitting pass to Yousef Salech, underlining his readiness to shoulder added responsibility. Donning the No.8 shirt in the last friendly symbolised this potential shift in status.
Meanwhile, Joel Bagan stands out for his resilience and patience. The academy product has navigated a series of challengers for the left-back spot in recent years and finally appears ready to take on a starting role. While Bagan’s game may still lack some attacking flair expected of modern full-backs, his defensive reliability is a much-needed asset for a Cardiff side occasionally fragile at the back last term. With transfer business still expected in this area, Bagan’s impressive pre-season could still earn him first dibs on the left-back berth.
Rubin Colwill’s name will already be familiar to most Bluebirds supporters. However, under Barry-Murphy, the Welsh international seems to have discovered a new lease of life. Once seen as an enigma defined as much by what he lacked as what he brought to the table, Colwill’s renewed physical sharpness and improved consistency have caught the eye. Topping fitness tests, contributing assists, and scoring from set-pieces are all positive indicators that he could finally fulfil his potential. Barry-Murphy’s clear expectations seem to have cut through, suggesting this could be Colwill’s defining season should he maintain his momentum.
Teenage central defender Dylan Lawlor has also rocketed into contention, defying expectations to form a promising partnership with experienced centre-back Calum Chambers during pre-season. Lawlor’s composure in possession and robust positioning have been lauded by fans and staff alike. With only a year left on his contract and external interest rumoured, securing his long-term future is fast becoming a pressing priority for the club, especially given his rapid development over the summer.
Completing the spotlighted five is Will Spiers, who, through a combination of opportunity and consistency, has put himself firmly in the right-back reckoning. Covering for the injured Perry Ng, Spiers has demonstrated maturity in his performances, particularly during the club’s training camp in Spain. While Ronan Kpakio may be the frontrunner for a starting role, Spiers’s contributions have demonstrated the strength in depth available from the club’s academy pipeline.
Each of these players has made it clear during pre-season that they expect more than just a squad place—they’re here to fight for regular football and, potentially, push Cardiff City back into the Championship. Barry-Murphy now faces the welcome challenge of harnessing this blend of academy talent and renewed energy as the Bluebirds seek to rewrite the narrative of last year.
With an eager home crowd set to return and the spectre of last season’s disappointment fading, Cardiff City supporters will be watching closely to see which of these emerging talents grab the opportunity—and whether this new blend can set the tempo for a campaign of redemption and progress.