Cardiff City’s return to the Championship has brought optimism back to the Welsh capital.
However, under Brian Barry-Murphy, there have already been clear signs that the Bluebirds are entering a new ruthless phase.
The Irishman has shown he is willing to make difficult decisions in pursuit of building a coaching staff and squad capable of sustaining success in the second tier.
One of his very first decisions at the club was not offering club captain Joe Ralls a new contract after 15 years of service.
While recently promotion-winner as player and now goalkeeping coach Gavin Ward departed the club this summer as Barry-Murphy continues shaping both the squad and staff in his own image.
Then, just last week, Ryan Wintle’s departure on a free transfer was announced.
Once again, it proved there is little room for sentiment under the Cardiff boss, despite the midfielder being named the club’s Player of the Season.
Barry-Murphy’s vision for Cardiff is becoming increasingly clear.
The 47-year-old prefers working with a smaller, younger and more athletic squad.
Also a squad capable of handling the physical and technical demands of Championship football while maintaining his possession-based philosophy.
Therefore, further difficult decisions are likely this summer.
With that in mind, here are five Cardiff City players who could potentially leave the club this summer.
Age: 26
Position: Midfielder
Appearances: 84
Goals: 4
Assists: 5
When Cardiff signed David Turnbull in February 2024, it felt like a real statement addition.
The Motherwell academy graduate arrived with proven pedigree, technical quality, and a track record of contributing goals from midfield.
At just 19, he burst onto the scene for his boyhood club, scoring 15 goals in 30 Scottish Premiership appearances and winning the Scottish Football Writers’ Young Player of the Year award.
That form earned him a £3.25 million move to Celtic, where he won multiple domestic honours while registering 31 goals and 21 assists across four seasons.
Although he fell out of favour towards the end of his time in Glasgow, Turnbull arrived in South Wales as a player capable of exciting the Cardiff faithful.
Take his headed equaliser against Chelsea in the EFL Cup quarter-final, which sent the Cardiff City Stadium into raptures, or the magnificent long-range strike in a crucial 2-1 victory against Bradford in January.
However, injuries and inconsistency have prevented Turnbull from fully cementing himself as one of the first names on the teamsheet.
The biggest question surrounding Turnbull’s future is ultimately whether he fits the Barry-Murphy system.
The Cardiff boss demands intense pressing, mobility and constant rotation from his midfielders.
While Turnbull undoubtedly possesses quality on the ball, there are concerns over whether he fits the high-intensity profile Cardiff are now building towards.
Scottish Premiership sides would likely still view him as an attractive option and, despite entering the final year of his contract, Cardiff would still expect to get a respectable fee.
Recouping the full £2 million they paid Celtic may prove difficult, but Turnbull certainly feels like one of the more realistic departures this summer, potentially in the region of £1-£1.2 million.
Age: 31
Position: Striker
Appearances: 130
Goals: 31
Assists: 12
Few players in Cardiff’s current squad possess the experience and attacking quality of Callum Robinson.
The Republic of Ireland international has become a fan favourite in South Wales since arriving from West Bromwich Albion in September 2022, producing many memorable moments in a Bluebirds shirt.
Despite his ups and downs, Robinson scored crucial goals in South Wales derbies, including a late equaliser against Swansea City, before netting a brace in the reverse fixture at the Cardiff City Stadium in a thumping 3-0 victory.
A rollercoaster four seasons have seen Robinson experience the lows of relegation and the high of helping Cardiff return to the Championship.
The 31-year-old played a rotational role during the promotion-winning campaign.
Although he made 40 League One appearances, only eight were starts.
Robinson was often second fiddle to Yousef Salech and later Omari Kellyman.
Even so, he still managed eight goals and three assists, proving his quality despite limited minutes.
His intelligence around the box, link-up play and technical ability still make him an attractive option for Championship and top-end League One clubs.
However, given his age and status as one of Cardiff’s highest earners, this summer may be the right time for both parties to move on.
Under Barry-Murphy, Cardiff are clearly moving towards a younger and more physically intense profile, with pressing from the front a key part of the system.
Robinson’s experience and leadership could still prove valuable in the second tier.
However, a farewell feels increasingly possible heading into the final year of his contract.
Cardiff could potentially be able to command a fee in the region of £750,000.
Age: 26
Position: Centre-back
Appearances: 23
Goals: 0
Assists: 0
It is fair to say Jesper Daland‘s time in South Wales has never truly got going.
The Norwegian arrived from Cercle Brugge in August 2024 for around £3.5 million following an impressive spell in Belgium.
There was a genuine belief that Cardiff had secured a long-term leader for their defence.
While his debut against Swansea offered a glimpse of his confidence and ability (who can forget that roulette), Daland never fully adapted to the physical demands of the Championship.
He made 20 appearances during Cardiff’s relegation in 2024/25 before spending last season on loan at Fortuna Düsseldorf.
Fortuna Düsseldorf were relegated to the German Third Division, with Daland struggling to make an impact in his time in Germany.
His return to South Wales this summer is unlikely to be straightforward.
Cardiff already have three centre-back options better suited to Barry-Murphy’s system in Dylan Lawlor, Will Fish and Gabriel Osho.
All three offer the athleticism, intensity and defensive mobility the Cardiff head coach demands.
There is also the strong possibility that Cardiff recruit a Championship-ready centre-back this summer.
Given his age and profile in Europe, a permanent departure could suit all parties.
Interest from Scandinavia and Belgium would be most likely.
Cardiff are unlikely to recoup the full £3.5 million they paid for him, but with two years remaining on his contract, a fee between £1.2-£1.5 million feels realistic.
Age: 22
Position: Striker
Appearances: 0
Goals: 0
Assists: 0
Roko Šimić remains one of the more intriguing players in Cardiff’s squad.
The Croatian striker arrived from Red Bull Salzburg in August 2024 for a fee around £2 million.
Cardiff beat competition from clubs including Sunderland to secure the signing of a player viewed as a major long-term talent.
Šimić had already scored in the Champions League against Benfica at just 20-years-old, adding to the excitement around his arrival.
However, his Cardiff career has never truly started.
Just two days after joining the club, Šimić was loaned to Vincent Tan’s sister club Kortrijk in the Belgian Pro League.
Injuries disrupted his time there, making just four appearances before returning to South Wales.
On his return to the Welsh capital, he spent time in the Under-21s setup to rebuild his match fitness and confidence.
Šimić was named in five Cardiff matchday squads in the second half of the 2024/25 campaign, but was an unused sub in each.
Following Barry-Murphy’s arrival, there was belief the striker may finally get his opportunity.
Standing at 6f3, Šimić possesses many qualities the Irishman wants. He can play with his back to goal, link attacks and press aggressively from the front.
However, Cardiff again opted to send him on loan to Karlsruher SC last season.
The German Second Division side held an obligation to buy if Šimić started 20 league games, but he fell short with 12 starts and three goals.
He will now return to Cardiff this summer with two years remaining on his contract.
Given his age and potential, another loan move may still be the best option for all parties.
Age: 31
Position: Centre-back
Appearances: 73
Goals: 5
Assists: 2
Calum Chambers may be Cardiff City captain, but Barry-Murphy has already shown difficult decisions will be made if required.
The former Arsenal and Aston Villa defender brought leadership, experience and quality at times during Cardiff’s promotion-winning campaign.
Currently the oldest player in the squad at 31, his professionalism has made him an important figure both on and off the pitch.
He also scored two crucial goals in back-to-back starts against Wigan Athletic and Bradford in early January as Cardiff cemented their place in the automatic promotion zone.
However, Chambers started just 20 league games and never fully cemented himself in the starting XI.
That raises questions heading into the Championship.
Chambers is among Cardiff’s highest earners, while Barry-Murphy is increasingly building towards a younger and more athletic squad profile.
Compared to the likes of Dylan Lawlor, Will Fish and Gabriel Osho, he does not fit that profile.
Therefore, having one of the club’s top earners as a potential fourth-choice centre-back is not sustainable for the Championship.
While Chambers still offers leadership and technical quality, Cardiff may decide this summer is the right time to move on.
His future could become one to monitor closely over the coming months, with clubs in the UK and abroad likely to hold interest.
Following Cardiff City’s instant return to the Championship, excitement and momentum have returned to the Welsh capital.
However, it has also highlighted the ruthless nature required to progress under Brian Barry-Murphy.
Under the Irishman, tactical fit, athleticism, and age profile appear to take favour over sentiment.
Not every player listed here may leave this summer, and some may still prove important figures in the Championship.
But as Cardiff continue reshaping the squad in Barry-Murphy’s image, further high-profile exits would not come as a surprise.
