The heir to the throne?
WHY EMYR HUWS MAY JUST BE THE RIGHT MAN TO STEP INTO THE BOOTS OF BLUEBIRDS LEGEND WHITTINGHAM
WHEN a legend departs, an unproven apprentice must step into the breach.
It sounds like a line from Star Wars yet it rings so true in sport. Some of the greatest footballers in history have actually been easily replaced by previously unheralded players.
When England hero Jimmy Greaves was dropped by Sir Alf Ramsey in 1966, few backed young Geoff Hurst to surpass the veteran goal-getter. When Barcelona bought Ivan Rakitic to replace the legendary Xavi in 2014, few believed the Croat would inspire a Champions League victory in his debut season.
So, while Cardiff City supporters might rightly worry that Peter Whittingham is irreplaceable, the transition could be easier than they imagine. Especially when Whittingham’s wouldbe successor is already a Cardiff player and would arrive at no cost whatsoever. His name is Emyr Huws, by the way.
Many Bluebirds fans will rightly point to Huws’ modest record since arriving in South Wales as cause for concern.
That reads as follows: one start, two sub appearances, a total of 64 minutes, and no goals or assists. It’s hardly a CV to strike fear into opponents and convince Neil Warnock Huws is the man to fill the void.
Indeed, Warnock has seemed thoroughly unconvinced about Huws since the moment the Yorkshireman replaced Paul Trollope as manager.
But hang on, here is a player with 11 international caps to his name. A player who sparkled on loan at Ipswich Town last season, scoring three times and endearing himself to Tractor Boys fans. A player whose six goals for Huddersfield Town the season before compelled Cardiff to covet his signature. Don’t be fooled, Huws is a player.
Ipswich’s interest in a permanent deal for Huws has seemingly cooled over the past few weeks and it looks as though the Wales starlet will get a chance to impress Warnock in pre-season. That’s smart.
It would be foolish to dismiss a player of Huws’ talents; talents that took him through the Manchester City academy as a teenager.
With the Welshman – still only 23 – contracted to the Bluebirds until 2019, surely he must now come in from the cold?
He was passive in his only Cardiff start, against Fulham in a drab January FA Cup defeat, but so was everyone. It’s impossible to imagine Huws wouldn’t be able to replicate his late season Ipswich form in a Cardiff shirt next term.
He possesses all the qualities to play the Whittingham role and actually offer something extra. Huws has craft, vision and skill — just like Whittingham — but he also has energy and the ability to fulfil the defensive requirements Warnock demands.
With Aron Gunnarsson and Joe Ralls for protection, the 23-year-old could be the missing piece of the midfield puzzle.
Huws, however, is already a Cardiff player and would cost absolutely nothing.
It’s free, it’s simple and it’s already done. Huws just needs to chance to hit his straps. Both Warnock and the Cardiff fans should give him that chance.