‘Would add much-needed quality’ – Cardiff City edge closer to completing deal to sign Aston Villa man: Fan’s voice | OneFootball

This article is part of Football League World’s ‘Fan’s Voice’ series, where we gather original opinions from those closest to the clubs concerned on matters surrounding their team and share them with a wider audience…

Cardiff City are reportedly in advanced talks to sign Aston Villa defender Frederic Guilbert according to Football Insider.

Bristol City and Middlesbrough were also believed to have been interested in signing the full-back, but it appears as though the Bluebirds are in pole position to land his signature.

Guilbert has struggled for regular game time in Dean Smith’s side this season, with the Frenchman making just two first-team appearances for the first-team.

Football League World’s Cardiff City fan Ben Johnsey reacted to the news of the Bluebirds’ interest in signing Guilbert, and felt as though he’d be a strong addition to Neil Harris’ side.

“I definitely feel Guilbert will be a good signing for Cardiff, making a statement and once again beating rivals to a player’s signature. Making 25 appearances last season in the Premier League he definitely fits the bill and would add much-needed quality to the side.

“His defensive abilities will definitely help Cardiff to stop conceding as many goals as they have been, while his pace and crossing will also help to drive the attack. The only concern I have is we will find ourselves in the same boat come the summer, but on a short term basis this is a very good signing.”

Johnsey went on to label Cardiff’s current defensive situation as ‘dire’, and hasn’t been impressed with Harris moving Leandro Bacuna to right-back, with Jordi Osei-Tutu currently ruled out through injury.

“Our right-back situation is dire currently seeing Bacuna playing as a makeshift full back. Since the injury to Arsenal loanee Jordi Osei-Tutu Cardiff have been without an out and out right-back in the side.

“This made Harris pull Bacuna from the midfield and force him into the defence, weakening two areas of Cardiff’s play. Not only has Bacuna struggled out of position at times, he’s also been missed massively in the middle of the park, so this signing would effectively kill two birds with one stone.”

But the Cardiff City supporter went on to voice his concern over signing Guilbert, which would mean that the Bluebirds have two right-backs on loan in the same season, which could mean that one will struggle for consistent minutes when both are deemed fit to feature.

“What will happen with Osei-Tutu on his return is yet to be seen, he made his return from injury last week in a game for the Under-23s that saw him play only 39 minutes.

“Having two Premier League players on loan in the same position could prove to be a problem for Cardiff, with both parent clubs wanting minutes for their players. Though I believe Cardiff can solve this by pushing Osei Tutu further up the field to the right wing position, a role he has played in previously.

“This will allow Guilbert to cement his role as Cardiff’s starting full back, and hopefully bring some more stability back into the side.”

Guilbert has been with Aston Villa since January 2019, but it seems as though his short-term future is likely to lie elsewhere, as he continues to struggle to find regular game time in their first-team.

Johnsey felt as though Dean Smith’s side would be welcome to a temporary departure for Guilbert from Villa Park after the emergence of Matty Cash at right-back this season.

“I can see Villa being happy for him to go. Guilbert is yet to make an appearance for Villa in the Premier league this season with Matty Cash rapidly becoming one of the best right backs in the division.

“At 26 Guilbert will be looking for first team football and with more than a sufficient backup in Elmohamady, I see Villa allowing him to go out and get it.”

Disclaimer: The views cast from various supporters in the Fan’s Voice series do not represent those of Football League World.