Cardiff City manager Mick McCarthy predicts Mark McGuinness will cost a ‘hell of a lot of money’ one day, speaking to Wales Online about a defender snapped up in June on a free transfer from Arsenal.
Recent history is littered with examples of talented young players who’ve gone from strength to strength after leaving the Gunners.
Yunus Musah is now a La Liga regular with Valencia, Ismael Bennacer has AC Milan jostling for position at the top of the Serie A table, while Serge Gnabry’s rise to fame in Germany has been well documented.
McGuinness, 20, is some way from matching Gnabry’s achievements, let alone those of Musah and Bennacer.
But the Slough-born centre-back is certainly heading in the right direction, even if he has been on the losing side during four of his five Championship appearances in Cardiff colours.
Will Mark McGuinness be another youngster Arsenal regret releasing?
“Mark McGuinness is going to be a really top player, there’s no doubt about that,” said the embattled McCarthy, whose job is under serious threat after seven defeats in a row.
“Whatever people are thinking about my reign and me, that is a damn good signing.
“He will be a really good player for the club and I hope he is one to drive the club forward. If not, I think he will be worth a hell of a lot of money in some time to come.”
McGuinness spent nine years at Arsenal’s famous Hale End academy, failing to make a single first-team appearance despite featuring regularly at youth level.
The Republic of Ireland U21 international made quite the impression on loan at Ipswich Town last season, however, and now appears to have established himself in South Wales after a sluggish start to life at the Cardiff City Stadium.
He’s not the only youngster making his mark at Cardiff either…
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