Cardiff City's January transfer gamble has paid off - He could make them millions | OneFootball

Yousef Salech has made an immediate impact since making the move to the Welsh capital at the start of the year

With the very real threat of relegation from the Championship still looming, Cardiff City have given themselves hope with the addition of a goal-getting striker when they needed it most.

The Bluebirds sit just one point above the bottom three in the division with eight games remaining of the current campaign, and know they still have their destiny in their own hands as we head into the run-in.

That has been down to, in part, the impressive start to life that Yousef Salech has made since making the move to the Welsh capital in January, with a reported £3.3 million fee enough to lure the frontman over from Swedish side IK Sirius.

With five goals in 12 league matches over the past two months, the Danish-born striker could be the difference in the battle against the drop this season, while City could also be set to make a profit on him in the future, based on the early evidence.

Yousef Salech helps Cardiff City in Championship relegation battle

Having already netted eleven goals in 27 Allsvenskan matches for Sirius before making the move to Cardiff in January, Salech had proven himself as a player capable of finding the back of the net when given the opportunity to do so, and that reputation has only been enhanced during his time in blue.

A late equaliser in just his second game for the club against Millwall set the tone for his early performances in the EFL, in which he has earned his new employers six points with his goalscoring exploits.

Another late strike rescued a point against Bristol City, before being in the right place at the right time once again against Plymouth Argyle, with two of the second tier’s strugglers sharing the points in a 1-1 draw at Home Park.

The forward has already made a name for himself for latching onto balls into the area and powering them home. All five of his league strikes seeing him capitalise on balls put into the area, whether they be from a set-piece or open play.

Salech is an aerially-dominant striker with a natural instinct of arriving in the right place at the right time. He's also a willing runner out-of-possession, with his high-pressing and commitment to engaging in duels often beneficial when Cardiff are chasing the game.

When you are up against it at the bottom of the league, that physical presence up top can make all the difference, with Salech providing a focal point for his side as an attacking force, and giving them an outlet in central areas that can make the most of promising situations.

While Callum Robinson might provide the glitz and glamour, it is Salech that is providing the bedrock to City’s survival push right now, with another headed effort against Blackburn Rovers giving them a vital three points at the weekend, which kept the in-form Derby County at bay in the battle at the bottom.

Yousef Salech can prove to be valuable Cardiff City acquisition in more ways than one

With the Rams picking up frequent points right now, there is a massive target on Cardiff’s back as we head into the final few weeks of the season, as they sit in the perilous 21st spot in the division.

With Stoke City level with them on 39 points, and the likes of Hull City, Oxford United and Portsmouth within touching distance, it is all to play for once we return from the international break, with the hope being that Salech can provide the goals to steer City to safety once and for all.

Sheffield Wednesday, Queens Park Rangers and Preston North End are all to come before a crunch clash with Stoke at the Cardiff City Stadium, there will be plenty riding on every match between now and the end of the season, with the financial hit of relegation too great to think about.

So far, Salech has justified his hefty price tag with some inspired performances, but if Cardiff don’t get over the line, there will already be question marks surrounding his future at the club, given his obvious ability to perform at Championship level.

But if he does continue to find the net and help the Bluebirds retain their second tier status, there is no doubting he will be a top talent to have in their ranks for the following campaign, having already proven how clinical he can be in front of goal.

That £3.3 million looks like money well spent right now, and if the Welsh side avoid relegation and kick on next season, they could well be making a healthy profit on their attacker in the years to come.

Salech has instantly acclimated to life in the Championship and, at 23, is only going to get better with time. His signing had very much appeared a long-term one, but now, Cardiff may be fearing just how long they can retain his signature.