Where are they now? How the class of 2014 have got on since Cardiff ’s last Blues clash
CARDIFF City return to action on Saturday, when they travel to Stamford Bridge in their fifth Premier League game.
The Bluebirds face Chelsea for the first time in four years, with their last meeting coming on the final day of Cardiff’s last, rather more beleaguered, Premier League season.
Chelsea won 2-1 in May 2014, with second half goals from Andre Schurrle and Fernando Torres giving the Blues victory, after the South Wales side had initially taken the lead through a Cesar Azpilicueta own goal.
It was a dour campaign for Cardiff, who were relegated, having finished bottom on 30 points. The game marked Craig Bellamy’s final appearance in football, before announcing his retirement.
We take a look at the last Cardiff City to line-up against Chelsea in the English top flight, to see how much the Bluebirds set up has changed since then...
David Marshall
THE 33-year-old had a number of standout performances for Cardiff in that season, despite conceding the second highest amount of goals
Marshall was later appointed captain following their relegation, but left for Hull City in 2016. He is now the Tigers’ number one, starting in each league game this season, after making just two appearances last campaign.
Steven Caulker
THE England international spent just one season with Cardiff City, before moving to Queens Park Rangers in the summer.
HE spent a total of three years at Loftus Road, but had been loaned out to both Southampton and Liverpool. THE 26-year-old left West London and joined Scottish Premiership side Dundee in February of this year. He was subject to interest from Norwegian side Rosenborg, but was later released from his contract at the Scottish club on Deadline Day this summer.
Ben Turner
ONE of Cardiff’s League Cup heroes, having scored in the final against Liverpool to take it to penalties, the former Coventry City defender spent a total of five years with the Bluebirds.
He began the season after life in the Premier League under then manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, but injuries cost him his place. He was later loaned out to Coventry before joining Burton, who now play in League One.
Declan John
BIG things were expected from youth academy product Declan John. Having not made a league appearance when Cardiff won the Championship title, he was given his first league start in Cardiff City’s opening day defeat to West Ham.
Making more than 20 appearances for Cardiff in the top flight, John found life hard in South Wales after the departure of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, and was unable to force his way into Russell Slade’s side, before spending time on loan at Barnsley, Chesterfield.
The 23-year-old was a starter for Paul Trollope in his brief spell in charge, but was isolated by Neil Warnock.
He moved back to South Wales rivals Swansea in the summer.
Fabio da Silva
A JANUARY signing made from Manchester United by Red Devils legend Solskjaer, Fabio made 13 appearances for the Bluebirds that season. It was in the Championship when the Brazilian became a regular starter under Slade.
HIS performances in the second tier, brought rave reviews from the Bluebirds faithful who were impressed by his passion.
Fabio was sold to Middlesbrough a day before Cardiff ’s season opener to Birmingham City in 2016/2017. He racked up 48 appearance for Boro, before making the move to French side Nantes this summer. He will play against twin brother Rafael (currently at Lyon) later this month.
THE Icelandic midfielder is one of just three players who still remain contracted the club in a playing capacity, after Cardiff’s swansong season.
Gunnarsson is Cardiff ’s longest serving player, having joined the Bluebirds in 2011.
He put pen to paper to a new one-year deal with Cardiff this season, having missed half of the Bluebirds promotion season due to injury.
The 29-year-old has grabbed the headlines on the international stage, having captained his side to their first ever major tournament, where they went out in the quarter-finals to hosts France, having humiliated England in the previous round.
Gunnarsson also played in this year’s World Cup, where Iceland bowed out in the group stages.
Jordon Mutch
MUTCH was Cardiff’s standout player