Bristol City struck gold with Crystal Palace deal - but there is one obvious concern | OneFootball

Bristol City will be hoping to keep a hold of loan star Rio Cardines for the entire season, but may face some January threat at this rate

Bristol City endured a big summer overhaul both on and off the pitch this summer, as the Robins enter a new era with the possibility of Premier League football in their sights.

Charlie Boss replaced Tom Rawcliffe as CEO of the club earlier this year, as Austrian head coach Gerhard Struber was dismissed from his role at Bristol City and replaced by former Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson until the end of the last season.

Since then, James Ellis has been appointed as sporting director after a previous spell as Arsenal's technical director, whilst former Lincoln City boss Michael Skubala took charge in the Ashton Gate dugout following Hodgson's departure.

Skubala has since stamped his authority on the squad, bringing in the likes of Sam Tickle, Lorent Tolaj, Dom Ballard, and Sam Greenwood. However, it looks as though the low-key loan addition of a player with limited first-team experience may be the pick of the bunch.

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20-year-old Rio Cardines joined Bristol City on loan from Crystal Palace in the summer as one of their only loan additions alongside Brian De Keersmaecker.

Cardines, capable of playing on either defensive flank, had made just three first-team appearances for Palace before heading out on loan to the Robins, which was his first loan to any other professional club, and arrived with few expectations.

However, his impact has been exceptional, as in eight league games, Cardines has grabbed six assists playing as either a left-back or right-back in a conventional back four shape, including a run of an assist in five games on the bounce.

His performances have been truly exceptional, and Skubala appears to be getting the best out of the Trinidad and Tobago international, though how long this will last is up in the air.

Bristol City may face January threat amid potential Rio Cardines recall

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It was revealed by Ellis that Palace possess the option to recall Cardines from his loan spell at Bristol City in January, and should he keep performing to the levels he currently is, there is a real possibility that option will be triggered.

Premier League clubs that loan players out to the Championship almost always insert a recall option in any deal in case the player is performing well above standards, or is simply not getting enough game time, with the former being the case for Manchester United's Harry Amass last season on loan with Sheffield Wednesday.

Bristol City, by all accounts, will be more than keen to keep the 20-year-old around until the end of the season, especially if he keeps performing at this level, but have no say as to whether he sees out the year at Ashton Gate or not, with Palace holding all the cards.

Why Crystal Palace may recall Rio Cardines amid scintillating Bristol City form

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Tyrick Mitchell is having a solid campaign with Palace, continuing to thrive in the left wing-back role, whilst Anan Khalali has helped to fill the void left behind by Daniel Munoz's move to Nottingham Forest.

Ben Chilwell and Zavier Gozo are providing backup in Pierre Sage's side, though at this rate, Cardines could give the pair a run for their money, and even provide stern competition for both Mitchell and Khalali.

Whilst the Eagles most likely wouldn't welcome a sale of one of their prized youth prospects, should an offer arrive for Cardines that they deem to be acceptable, he could move on permanently come January.

Sage's role as head coach is under threat, and a decision on Cardines is not expected to be made anytime soon, though with the recall option there, Bristol City are at the mercy of Palace, and will be hoping to convince the Premier League outfit to keep the full-back at Ashton Gate until the end of the season by any means necessary.

Michael Skubala will be wary of the potential loss of Rio Cardines as January approaches

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With the January window a few months away, Skubala will not be worried about losing Cardines just yet, but will be well aware of the possibility of an early recall.

In the event of that, Bristol City must be ready and have an alternative, or two, lined up; otherwise, they will have lost a key component of their side for nothing, with no backup, and if they are to sustain a play-off push, that simply cannot be allowed to happen.

Skubala will be wary of this possibility, but for now, Bristol City will enjoy Cardines whilst they can, as it would be no surprise to see the Robins make an effort to guarantee his loan until the end of the season in the meantime.