Cardiff City urged to 'stay clear' of potential Aaron Ramsey transfer return - Rubin Colwill blow can have 'positive' effect | OneFootball

Rubin Colwill is set for a spell on the sidelines, and Cardiff have been warned against another return of Aaron Ramsey

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Rubin Colwill is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines, and following Aaron Ramsey's early departure from Mexican outfit PUMAS, the Bluebirds have been warned away from another return for the former Arsenal and Juventus midfielder.

After 16 matches, Cardiff City sit at the summit of League One.

The Bluebirds underwent a painful relegation from the EFL Championship last season, with neither Erol Bulut nor Omer Riza able to guide the club away from relegation.

Former midfielder Ramsey was named as the club's interim manager in the latter stages of last season following the departure of Riza, and upon their relegation, he would leave the club for a second time to take up an opportunity in Mexico with PUMAS.

However, after just six appearances, the Welshman announced his departure from the club following the news that his 10-year-old family pet dog, Halo, had been stolen.

With Ramsey once again a free agent, and in the wake of Rubin Colwill's 10-12 week injury, Cardiff have been advised against a potential reunification with the Welshman by FLW's Cardiff fan pundit.

The return of Aaron Ramsey could potentially be 'blocking pathways' in the Cardiff City squad

Football League World's Cardiff fan pundit, Matt, has shared his thoughts on a potential return of Ramsey once again, following the news of Colwill's lengthy spell out injured.

Matt would have no issue with Ramsey returning to train alongside the squad, but he does not want to see the Welshman return to the club on a playing basis as it could block pathways for Cardiff's ever-emerging crop of young talent.

Indeed, in Matt's view, Colwill's blow - though devastating for all in the Welsh capital given the playmaker's mightily-impressive form this term after being named as vice-captain - could have a "positive slant" of opening the window of opportunity to other members of Barry-Murphy's squad such as Omari Kellyman and Callum Robinson, along with young pair Robert Tankiewicz and Troy Perrett - whose pathways would perhaps be cut off if Ramsey were to return once more.

Matt said, "I'm pretty strong on this one. I think that we should not bring Aaron Ramsey back on a short-term contract.

"I've always been of the opinion that we should happily welcome him back to train with the squad and to be around everyone, because I think with this young team, when Ramsey first joined with a more experienced side, even the experienced players will talk about the impact of having Ramsey training with them and the levels that went up.

"So, I would happily have him train, get fit with us, be around some of the young players, and come up to those levels again. Obviously, then if Ramsey was to get really fit and show himself to be able to get minutes, then I'd have no problem with that.

"But personally, I think a lot of the language that you hear nowadays with Cardiff is pathways. If you're looking at bringing in Aaron Ramsey, then are you looking at blocking pathways? Because an injury as devastating as Colwill's will always have a positive slant of creating an opportunity for somebody else.

"We've got young players that are in the squad, I think notable ones, Troy Perrett and Robert Tankiewicz.

"Tankiewicz played out on the wing mostly in his debut games, but he is a number ten or number eight, and Troy Perrett has shone in the Vertu Trophy when he played for us in that position as well.

"If you were to bring Ramsey in on a short-term deal, are you then basically blocking out those guys from getting minutes? I think potentially so.

"I think we've got enough options within the squad to cope with his absence until January/February time.

"I think, obviously, you've got Omari Kellyman, who has not really had a chance in the team because of Colwill playing there.

"We've got the tactical adaptability that we played on the weekend of having Callum Robinson there, and then I say you've got those younger lads who would thrive off an opportunity like this. So, for me, it's something I would stay clear of, but I'd absolutely welcome him to train with the squad.

Aaron Ramsey has had two separate stints with Cardiff City and has been advised against a third

Ramsey began his career with Cardiff, making his debut at 16 years and 124 days old, becoming the youngest player to ever make an appearance for the club.

Arsenal came calling in June 2008 and paid Cardiff £4.8 million for his services, and it would be fair to suggest that it was a bargain.

The Welshman would make 369 appearances across all competitions in 11 years with the Gunners, scoring 64 times and grabbing 60 assists from midfield, before leaving the club on a free transfer for Juventus on a reported staggering £400k-per-week.

Since his departure from Arsenal, Ramsey's career has somewhat slowly fizzled out, with spells at Rangers, where he missed the decisive spot kick in the Europa League final against Eintracht Frankfurt for the Scottish outfit, and OGC Nice before his return to Cardiff in the summer of 2023.

The midfielder had an injury-laden spell with the Bluebirds before his departure in the summer, making just 24 appearances across all competitions in two years, and the club have been advised against another return for Ramsey, which may hinder the development of the younger members of the squad.

Now 34, Ramsey is almost certainly not the player he used to be, and whilst his presence around the club in the event of a return may be beneficial for installing a winning mentality, taking minutes away from youngsters may prove to be counter-productive for Brian Barry-Murphy's side.