Cardiff City may have paid a very large four million pound fee to at long last secure Michael Chopra ^[1] permanently but his excellent record in the Welsh capital means that this is likely to be a no brainer of a deal. Perhaps more than any other player in recent seasons, Chopra epitomizes the large roster of stars who are electric at the lower level, but flounder at the higher. If Bluebirds are promoted, he may need replacing, but in the meantime, their faithful can rejoice in the likelihood of guaranteed goals.

Technically, it’s the diminutive front man’s fourth spell at the club and 31 strikes in 69 appearances is a resoundingly impressive tally. Ever since he burst on the scene with a quartet of goals on loan to Watford against Burnley ^[2], Chopra has promised to be prolific. His style is that of the buzzy, nippy striker, a latter day Tony Cottee.

With a shiny new home to fill, Cardiff will hope to banish the memories of an alarming collapse in last season’s run-in including a devastating 6-0 reverse at Deepdale ^[3]. With the excellent Roger Johnson having departed after being coveted by a number of clubs and Joe Ledley the source of a rumour extravaganza, Dave Jones has done well to get Chopra’s John Hancock. This follows two lower key defensive purchases in Anthony Gerrard and the picaresque Mark Hudson. Opposing fans are often heard to openly wonder as to where the Welsh club get the money – only to have their ruminations answered when the Sky cameras pan in on the club chairman ^[4].