Cardiff boss Malky Mackay bolstered his central midfield options last weekend by acquiring Gary Medel from Sevilla on a four-year deal. The 26-year-old Chile international arrives at the Bluebirds for a reported club record fee of £9.5m and follows the likes of Steven Caulker, John Brayford and Andreas Cornelius to the club as Mackay goes about restructuring his first-team squad after last term’s Championship-winning season:
Having missed out on top targets Victor Wanyama and Etienne Capoue, Mackay has turned to the combative Medel – whose nickname is “El Pitbull” – in order to add a little bite to his midfield. Due to international duties, the new boy won’t join up with Cardiff until Friday, leaving Mackay with a selection dilemma ahead of the following day’s opener at West Ham, though speaking to the club’s official website, the Bluebirds boss was full of praise for his new enforcer:
“We’re delighted to have secured the services of Gary – a tenacious and intelligent international midfielder. Having had two seasons of regular football in La Liga – with 60 odd international caps to his name and three appearances at a World Cup – his experience will be an invaluable asset to our squad. He’s played in a number of Boca v River Plate derbies in Argentina – one of the world’s biggest derby matches – and I’ve no doubt that his background and pedigree will complement our midfield group in the Barclays Premier League.”
The History
A product of the Universidad Católica youth system in his native Chile, Medel’s career began back in 2006. Over the course of three seasons, he scored 10 times in 70 league matches before joining Argentine giants Boca Juniors in July 2009. Having arrived on an initial one-year loan, Medel spent two seasons at the club, producing seven goals and an assist in 46 appearances prior to making his way to Sevilla midway through the 2010-11 campaign.
Medel more than merited his nickname during his time in La Liga, suggesting his discipline may well be an issue on these shores. The Chilean featured 90 times in all competitions for Sevilla and was dismissed on as many as seven occasions, receiving 29 cautions in just 78 league appearances. Over his first year-and-a-half he scored just twice in 46 matches but stepped up as an attacking source last term, with six goals and three assists in 32 La Liga matches. The powerfully-built ball-winner has also turned out for his country 51 times and found the net on four occasions.
The Prospects
Set to sit in front of the Bluebirds’ defence as part of Mackay’s three-man central midfield, Medel will be tasked with breaking up opponents’ play and allowing other more creative players the chance to flourish. Given his hot-headed approach, he’s likely to rack up more yellows and reds than attacking returns in the season ahead and, as such, it’s difficult to make a case for his consideration as a Fantasy asset; expect to see him feature prominently in our Suspension Tightrope articles as the campaign heats up instead.
The possible upside is that his tenacious style of play, allied with the acquisition of Steven Caulker, may boost Cardiff’s defensive prospects as Mackay attempts to build upon an approach which harvested 18 clean sheets in the Championship last time out.
Compared to other Bluebirds options, though, Medel’s appeal seems limited – Fantasy managers looking for a route into Mackay’s side will perhaps turn to Bo-Kyung Kim as a more enticing alternative. Likely to be utilised as the most advanced option through the middle, it’s difficult to look beyond the Korean – having scored in three of the final four summer friendlies, he approaches the season as the Welsh side’s in-form player, with a share of set-pieces making him a standout option. A kind price across the Fantasy games merely heightens Kim’s appeal, with many eyeing him up as a cheap fifth midfielder.
While Kim is likely to provide the class and guile in the middle of the park, Medel will no doubt grab his fair share of headlines. Sent off in a derby against Real Betis last term, he was also dismissed against Atletico Madrid after belting Diego Costa – having previously broken the arm of Tiago Mendes earlier in the match. Fireworks can be expected, then, and, while there’s no doubting Medel will add plenty resilience to the middle of the park, Mackay will be hoping his new signing keeps a cool head long enough to make an impact for all the right reasons. Most Fantasy managers are likely to keep their distance.
