Bulut continuity, rare calm - Cardiff season preview

Erol Bulut has played and coached in countries including Turkey, Germany and Greece

Cardiff City's default mode in recent years has tended to be one of upheaval and dysfunction - but they enter this new season with a relative sense of calm.

Key to that change in mood is the fact that the 2023-24 campaign was the Bluebirds' first without changing manager since 2019.

Although negotiations for boss Erol Bulut's new contract took longer than many would have wanted, resolving his future has allowed Cardiff to plan for the season ahead with confidence.

One of Bulut's conditions for staying was the guarantee of support in the transfer market and, while the Bluebirds have not spent much on actual fees, club owner Vincent Tan has shown his backing by bankrolling some notable free signings.

Calum Chambers, Anwar El Ghazi and Chris Willock are all players of proven quality in the Championship, while striker Wilfried Kanga has arrived on loan from Hertha Berlin to further bolster their attacking options.

While there is little talk of a promotion push, a promising summer of recruitment - combined with managerial continuity - has raised hopes among Cardiff's supporters.

Having made significant progress during Bulut's first season in charge, the Bluebirds will be aiming to improve on that 12th-place finish.

How did last season go?

Last season represented a big improvement for Cardiff, who enjoyed some rare stability.

Bulut became the first Bluebirds boss to last a whole season since Neil Warnock oversaw the 2018-19 term, which ended with relegation from the Premier League.

Before Bulut's arrival, Cardiff had endured two successive battles to avoid relegation but, with the former Fenerbahce boss at the helm, they finished a comfortable 12th in the Championship table.

One of the reasons for the Bluebirds' upturn in fortunes was their improved home record, with 10 wins at Cardiff City Stadium compared to six during 2022-23, though Bulut and his players would have liked more.

Cardiff pinched a few notable victories on the road as well, even when their underlying statistics were less than impressive.

There were occasions when the Bluebirds' performances were more in keeping with those underwhelming numbers and led to some dismal results.

Despite his team's mixed displays, however, Bulut endeared himself to the club's fans.

Securing a first south Wales derby win over arch-rivals Swansea City since 2021 helped with that, and there was some relief when Bulut finally signed a new contract during the off-season.

Ex-Aston Villa and Arsenal defender Calum Chambers is one of Cardiff's most eye-catching signings this summer

What are their prospects this season?

Smart summer recruitment has fanned some cautious optimism for the season ahead.

England defender Chambers, his former Aston Villa team-mate El Ghazi and ex-Queens Park Rangers forward Willock are all shrewd free signings.

Although they have arrived for no fee, it is expected all three will have been offered relatively hefty salaries, so Cardiff's owner Vincent Tan will want a return on his investment.

El Ghazi and Willock should add quality in attacking wide positions, an area of weakness at times for Cardiff last season.

Bulut will also have high hopes for Ivory Coast striker Kanga, who has joined on a season-long loan from German Bundesliga 2 club Hertha Berlin after scoring 12 goals in 32 appearances in Belgium's Pro League with Standard Liege last season.

With Cardiff still eager to add to their ranks, it seems reasonable to expect them to at least achieve another top-half finish this season.

Manager Erol Bulut's view:

“Last season was a season with many small problems because we had an embargo with transfers, only loan players, it was not easy, but we did a great job. We finished in a comfortable position in 12th. It could have been eighth or ninth.

“In general we had a really good season. Last year we tried to prepare and build. This season we try to add on it. We are on a good way.

“The system we have tried to build, the players know more clearly what we want and what we are expecting from them.”

Transfers in

Wilfried Kanga (Hertha Berlin, loan); Calum Chambers (Aston Villa, free); Anwar El Ghazi (Mainz, free); Chris Willock (QPR, free); Alex Robertson (Manchester City, undisclosed).

Transfers out

Ebou Adams (Derby County, undisclosed); Ollie Denham (Sligo Rovers, free); Sheyi Ojo and Romaine Sawyers (both released).