Cardiff City’s Omer Riza has responded to reports of Premier League giants Aston Villa showing interest in young talent Troy Perrett. The Welsh under-19s international has caught the eye of the top-flight club, but Riza is adamant that the decision on Perrett’s future lies with Cardiff City.
Riza expressed pride in seeing his academy players linked with elite clubs, highlighting the progress of Perrett within the Cardiff setup. The attacking midfielder has been commended by Riza for his performances during training sessions with the first team.
Despite the speculation surrounding Perrett’s potential move, Riza emphasised that Cardiff City holds the authority to determine the player’s next steps. He acknowledged the common practice of bigger clubs targeting young talents from smaller academies like Cardiff’s and stressed the importance of nurturing and retaining such talents within the club.
The trend of academy talents departing to category one academies has been noted by Riza, but he is keen on preserving the promising young players within Cardiff’s ranks. Riza praised the emergence of players like Isaak Davies, Ash (Cian Ashford), Rubin (Colwill), Joel Colwill, and Joel Bagan, among others, showcasing the club’s commitment to developing young talent.
Perrett recently showcased his skills on the international stage, representing Wales under-19s alongside fellow Cardiff City prospects Luey Giles, Dakarai Mafico, and Dylan Lawlor. The club’s emphasis on nurturing and providing opportunities for young talents has been evident through the progress of Perrett and his peers.
Riza’s comments reflect Cardiff City’s dedication to developing and retaining their academy prospects in the face of interest from larger clubs. The club’s commitment to nurturing young talents like Perrett highlights their long-term vision and investment in the future of their squad.
As Cardiff City continues to focus on the growth and development of their academy, the recognition of players like Perrett on the national and international stage reinforces the club’s reputation for producing top-quality talent. Riza’s stance on Perrett’s future underscores the club’s determination to build on their youth system’s success and secure a promising future for Cardiff City.