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Tom Coleman

Cardiff City's cause for concern now an area bursting with exciting options after transfer frenzy

It's already been one of their busiest in recent memory, but Cardiff City are still working hard to keep the wheels of their summer transfer window turning.

Nine players have come through the door over the last few weeks or so as Steve Morison looks to rebuild his squad and add some much-needed depth and quality in key positions.

A new striker or two is clearly still needed, although Morison has already done his best to address a key area of concern.

READ MORE: Cardiff City transfer news as Bluebirds fight for Stoke City target and forgotten man spotted in training

Strengthening options in the middle of midfield was always going to be a big priority in this window, particularly on the back of several departures earlier in the summer.

Admittedly, few were surprised to see the likes of Will Vaulks, Leandro Bacuna and Marlon Pack depart upon the expiration of their deals, while Tommy Doyle's return to Manchester City was another eventuality many would have mentally prepared for.

Nevertheless, there's no question the quartet's exit blew a hole in Cardiff's midfield options and, for a while, it looked like Ryan Wintle might well have been the only real senior option left.

Getting further bodies on board was always going to be a big priority, even with Joe Ralls signing a new deal. But Cardiff, to their credit, have done well to address things.

In fact, if anything, things have gone the other way now, with Morison now facing a real, albeit highly welcome, selection headache ahead of the new season. And that's without the seemingly imminent arrival of Romaine Sawyers.

Finding a way of fitting everyone in, and deciphering his best midfield blend, will be one of Morison's biggest challenges next season.

Ebou Adams and Andy Rinomhota have already joined, while Ralls and Wintle will surely feel their performances last term are good enough to warrant a regular first-team place.

Ralls, who's set to skipper the team next term, seems likely to be among the first names on the team sheet. Working out who goes in alongside him will likely be the challenge, with Morison clearly favouring a three-man midfield alongside two wingbacks or a flat-back five.

Wintle has already staked his claim with an impressive run of form last season, but the new boys clearly haven't come to simply make up the numbers. Adams was one of the stand-out performers in League One for Forest Green Rovers, with his athleticism and sky-high workrate attracting plenty of plaudits. Former Cardiff coach James Rowberry was a particularly big fan.

He's the sort of box-to-box midfielder who could well thrive under Morison's system, but he's not the only one knocking on the door for consideration.

Rinomhota is, in many ways, a similar player although he does perhaps relish the art of mopping up in front of the defence a little more, and some have even claimed he has the skillset to test himself in the Premier League one day.

Then there's Sawyers. The 30-year-old, should he complete a move to the Welsh capital, would bring an abundance of Championship experience with him, although it would be interesting to see what sort of role he'd play.

His best position appears to be at number 10, although he can play either slightly deeper, and has even been deployed as an out-and-out striker in the past.

It's a similar mould to a certain Rubin Colwill. There are some quarters of the Cardiff fanbase that believe Colwill is the next gem of Welsh football, and is ready to truly announce himself on the Championship stage next term. There will certainly be a clamour for him to play a key role in Morison's plans.

However, the Cardiff boss has previously urged caution on the Wales international, insinuating on several occasions last season the 20-year-old isn't yet ready to be relied upon on a regular basis.

Certainly Colwill's form was a very up and down at times, but that's probably to be expected from a player so young. A jump in his development has to be a key aim for next term and, with increased competition, it's another key consideration for the season ahead.

Similarly, one has to wonder where youngster Eli King fits in with all of this. After dipping his toe into the first-team pool last season, it would be a shame if his development were to be stunted by a lack of game-time. However, it does seem likely he will be some way down the pecking order this term.

It perhaps wouldn't be too much of a surprise to see him loaned out for the coming season, but Morison may well feel like the competition for places might just bring out the best in him.

But the central point here is the jostle for places is a little different to previous campaigns. Whereas Cardiff have had options in the past, Vaulks, Pack and Bacuna were arguably different variations of the same workhorse-type player. Plenty of grit and effort, but little in the way of technical individuality.

Now, there's a real feeling each of the options available can potentially bring something different to the table, which will hopefully give Morison a little bit of tactical flexibility that might not have been there before.

Indeed, while no-one can deny the brilliant turnaround under his watchful eye last term, there were still occasions when Cardiff's midfield looked a little one-dimensional, ponderous and predictable.

Morison himself will now hope he's not simply replaced but upgraded his options, although certainly there will be a debate over what his best possible midfield will look like.

City will get an opportunity to take their first step in figuring out that conundrum this weekend when they kick off their pre-season schedule against Cambridge United, but it may well take some time before we really get grasp on where everyone fits in.

It will certainly be fascinating to see how it pans out.

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