2 bargain free transfers Cardiff City could consider ft Brandon Williams | OneFootball

Cardiff City have already made good use of the free agent market this summer - and they should continue to do exactly that

Cardiff City have made excellent use of the free agent market during the summer transfer window, which has birthed heightened excitement and expectation among supporters.

Albeit through differing circumstances, Chris Willock, Calum Chambers and Anwar El Ghazi were all available as free agent transfers and the Bluebirds should be commended for attracting such pedigree, particularly in regards to the former Aston Villa duo.

It serves as all the required evidence for the effectiveness of utilising free transfers, which Cardiff now appear to be making better use of than they had done in previous years.

Although the Bluebirds now find themselves with money to spend, without the shackles of a transfer embargo or the pertinent worry of falling foul of the English Football League's Profit and Sustainability rules, there are further bargains to be found and Cardiff could be well-served by navigating the remainder of the window with one eye on free agents.

With that in mind, Football League World has decided to run the rule over two free agents that the Bluebirds should be looking to acquire this month.

Brandon Williams

Cardiff would have benefitted from signing an additional left-back regardless, but Jamilu Collins' injury absence will likely plunge them further into the market and Brandon Williams may just be worth a punt.

As confirmed by Bulut in the wake of Cardiff's final pre-season outing away at Bristol Rovers last weekend, Nigeria international Collins is set to spend the next six to eight weeks on the treatment table.

Left-sided midfielder Callum O'Dowda will be poised to deputise there - and deputise well, just as he has done previously - in Collins' absence, but it's no secret that his athletic and ball-carrying qualities are better optimised further upfield, which Cardiff must remember.

Williams, who was once touted for a glittering career at the highest level with Manchester United, is now a free agent following his release from the Red Devils.

He's yet to find a new club, having endured a torrid time of it on loan with Ipswich Town in the Championship last season amid Leif Davis' outstanding form and, pressingly, some off-field issues.

Nonetheless, Williams is still only 23 and can't be ruled out of rebuilding his career just yet.

Also capable on the right-hand side, the former England youth international has outstanding pedigree and no shortage of ability either, as evidenced by the number of senior appearances he tallied up at Old Trafford.

It would be naive to forget about the risks that would accompany plotting a move for the left-back, but he'd prove an outstanding signing if Erol Bulut could restore his levels of old while easing many of the present concerns Cardiff have in that area of the pitch.

Kemar Roofe

Certain caveats are also at play when it comes to exploring a potential swoop for Kemar Roofe, who is now available for free transfer following his exit from Rangers earlier this summer.

Ultimately, though, that's the business you're in when assessing free agent options yet to find new suitors.

The 31-year-old impressed when he could actually get on the pitch for Rangers, which seldom happened in his final two seasons with the club.

His injury record is a significant concern; since the 2018/19 campaign, Roofe has spent 833 days on the sidelines. To save the maths, that equates to just over two years.

Availability - or lack thereof - is a gamble that Cardiff are evidently open to taking if the reward outstrips the risk though, which they've shown by signing the likes of Aaron Ramsey, Chambers and even Willock over the last year.

Roofe wouldn't be afforded the latitude that the Welsh capital's prodigal son is, of course, but they're now bound to be looking at additional reinforcements up top with Kion Etete and Isaak Davies both set to spend months out of action.

Theoretically at least, Roofe may have a purpose as a stop-gap signing. Cardiff have wanted to get away from recruitment of that nature but necessity can dictate, and a clean bill of health on a one-year deal, for example, could bear fruit.

Roofe is a goalscorer - and a proven Championship one at that - which Cardiff still need after signing Wilfried Kanga on loan from Hertha Berlin. Callum Robinson could well be in for a redemption campaign, but the urgency of bringing in another striker is significant and Roofe may be a good option on a short-term basis.