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Go for it Warnock – Cardiff must sign this Crystal Palace star with 16 goals and 7 assists

Why Cardiff City Should Sign Crystal Palace’s James McArthur This Summer

If reports from the Daily Mail are to be believed, Cardiff City are pondering over a move for Crystal Palace midfielder James McArthur as they prepare themselves for a return to the Premier League.

The Bluebirds will be playing in the English top-flight next season after having achieved automatic promotion from the EFL Championship, courtesy of a 2nd-place finish. Manager Neil Warnock is understood to be keen on strengthening his squad ahead of their return to the big league for the first time since 2014.

As per the aforementioned report, the club have identified McArthur as one of the transfer targets ahead of what will be a vital summer window.  

The 30-year-old midfielder has been with Palace since the summer of 2014 when current Cardiff manager Warnock signed him from Wigan Athletic. Since then, McArthur has gone on to become a key member of the Eagles squad.

He has made a total of 129 appearances for Palace, scoring 16 goals and registering 7 assists in the process.

In the ongoing campaign, the Scotland international has featured 34 times across all competitions, finding the back of the net on 7 occasions, while setting one up for a teammate.  

Cardiff have a solid group of midfielders, with the likes of Craig Bryson, Joe Ralls and Aron Gunnarsson in the squad. Versatile right-back Callum Paterson too, has been used in the centre of the park.

However, none of the players can claim to have any Premier League experience, barring Gunnarsson, who is likely to leave the club in the summer when his contract expires. This is where signing McArthur would prove to be a shrewd investment for the Bluebirds.

The 32-time capped Scottish international has amassed over 200 Premier League appearances with Crystal Palace and Wigan Athletic previously. His volumes of experience in the English top-flight would prove to be a great tool for the Premier League newbies, especially considering that he has the know-how to tackle difficult situations.

Moreover, McArthur is a versatile customer who can play anywhere in the midfield, be it centrally or out on the flanks. An energetic, box-to-box player with good technique and range of passing, the 30-year-old adds a lot of value to the side with his tenacity and ability to hold on to possession.

McArthur has also shown the knack for popping up in the right areas and scoring important goals for his team. 

Add to that, the fact that the Warnock signed him at Palace previously shows that the manager knows what he will be bringing to the table, even though the pair didn’t work for a long period at the Selhurst Park. 

A seasoned pro in the Premier League who the manager has worked with in the past, McArthur would prove to be a sensible signing for the Bluebirds as they prepare for their big return to the top-flight. Go for it Warnock!

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