Blackburn Rovers could find Tyrhys Dolan 2.0 at Cardiff City - He's clearly not wanted | OneFootball

Chris Willock looks surplus to requirements at Cardiff City, and Blackburn Rovers could be the beneficiaries of a possible departure

Chris Willock’s move to Cardiff City last summer from QPR didn’t go the way the 27-year-old would have expected, and 12 months later, he could be on the move again.

The gifted wide-man, who looked destined for big things at the beginning of the decade after a productive couple of seasons at Loftus Road, decided to make the switch to South Wales, but there, he recorded his lowest scoring season in five years and was relegated from the Championship.

Having hardly featured at the Cardiff City Stadium in the latter half of 2024/25, there is a strong possibility that Willock will depart the club this summer ahead of Cardiff’s first season in League One since 2002/03.

Meanwhile, Blackburn Rovers are set to begin the 2025/26 campaign with a Tyrhys Dolan-shaped hole in their side, after the winger departed the club at the end of his contract following five seasons at Ewood Park.

Replacing the 23-year-old, who has just come off the back of a career year in front of goal, will be tricky, but if Valerien Ismael can bring Willock in and get him back to his best, Blackburn could potentially even see an upgrade to the left-wing position this summer.

Chris Willock may be a low-fee signing this summer

Chris Willock arrived at Cardiff on a free transfer last July after his contract ran out following four seasons at QPR.

After a 2023/24 campaign which saw just eight goal involvements for a second straight term following his 18 in 2021/22, the Bluebirds were hoping that he could rediscover his form at their club. Indeed, Willock arrived as one of a series of big names in the Welsh capital last summer, but much like ex-Aston Villa winger Anwar El Ghazi, he flattered to deceive.

Cardiff ultimately went through a rather tumultuous season last term, and Willock was a bit-part player throughout, especially in the second half of the season, starting just eight league games in 2025.

Now it even seems that he is out of new manager Brian Barry-Murphy’s plans in League One this season, as Willock was one of only two senior squad members (alongside third-choice goalkeeper Matt Turner) to be named as part of the U21 squad who won against Yeovil Town on Tuesday.

Willock appeared in the first half eleven, who found themselves 2-1 down at the break. So, the 27-year-old didn’t exactly put in a great showing, which could be an indication that his mind is away from Cardiff this summer.

And, as the Bluebirds spent nothing to bring Willock in, a low-cut fee would still represent profit, and a side such as Blackburn could swoop in to take a chance on the former Arsenal and Benfica academy product.

With Tyrhys Dolan on the way out this summer, a new wide attacker is needed at Ewood Park ahead of the 2025/26 season, and Chris Willock could be the man to target.

As alluded to before, the Bluebirds could look to offload for a small price this summer, and given the potential Willock has shown to be involved in scoring and assisting goals in the past in the Championship, it represents a low-risk, high-reward signing for Rovers if a deal were to be done.

Four seasons ago, Willock registered seven goals and 11 assists for QPR, and whilst he hasn’t since been able to replicate such a return, it shows that there is still the ability to explode if he’s on form.

Last season, his per-90-minute stats had him registering just under two successful dribbles per game and over two fouls won per game, too, per Fotmob, so he still causes issues on the wing and still likes to play direct when he has the chance, similarly to Dolan. Willock and Dolan are two wingers who both thrive when drifting into pockets of space from the left-hand side and can also operate centrally in attacking midfield, and the Bluebirds wide-man's skillset could replace what has been lost.

If Blackburn is looking for a Dolan replacement, then Willock could be the short-term answer. And if he can get back to his former goalscoring ways, then the stress of losing the 23-year-old will quickly be forgotten at Ewood Park.