Up and coming Cardiff City star Dylan Lawlor could be set to swap League One and Championship football for the Champions League if former Man City coach Vincent Kompany opts to sign him for Bayern Munich.
The Bluebirds are flying high at the top of the third tier, despite a few disappointing defeats. Their side has been primarily built with a strong core of young players with one of the most notable being defender Dylan Lawlor. The 19-year-old turns 20 on New Year’s Day but is already catching the attention of one of Europe’s biggest clubs.
In particular his impressive pass accuracy (second best in League One central defenders), stands out as a strong attribute despite showing some signs of weakness in more tradition defensive statistics.
The youngster has already picked up three senior international caps for Wales. In the World Cup Qualifiers, he picked up an impressive 7.02 average rating according to WhoScored. These performances have prompted manager Craig Bellamy to tip off his former teammate on his potential according to talkSPORT.
Will Bayern Munich Secure Cardiff City’s Dylan Lawlor?
Lawlor is a boyhood Cardiff City player, having worked his way up through the academy to finally break into the first team. This season he has made 22 appearances in all competitions, having missed out on three League One games due to international duty.
Whilst there is clear interest in the player, it is unlikely to be a move that is considered in the immediate future. Bayern are one of several teams currently tracking his progress with Premier League clubs likely to rival anything more serious. It is normal for the top sides to have scouts watching potential talent from across the world, especially ones who are already picking up international caps.
Wales have a history of producing talented players, the likes of Gareth Bale, Ryan Giggs and Mark Hughes are all examples of what the country has to offer. They could still compete in the upcoming World Cup, if they can navigate the play-off semi-final against Bosnia-Herzegovina and final against one of Italy or Northern Ireland. If he is selected for the elite competition in the US, then more suitors are likely to come forward.
Can Lawlor Make it to the Top?
Lawlor has shown a huge amount of promise so far; however, he is still at the very early stages of his career. With only 23 senior club appearances to date, there is still a lot that can go wrong in a player’s career. Circumstances, injury and form can all play a pivotal role.
Right now, he is playing in a side that is expected to do well in League One, but when the going gets tough, does he have what it takes to dig in for his side? That remains to be seen and is the difference between a top player and one who fails to live up to their promise. It is clear he is one to watch for the future with Cardiff likely to benefit from a hefty transfer fee should a side move on their interest.