Emiliano Sala was my type of player, says Cardiff boss Neil Warnock
Saturday 9 February 2019 07:57, UK
Neil Warnock has paid tribute to Emiliano Sala, saying the Argentine striker was his "type of player" who could have done "something special" at Cardiff.
Sala, who joined Cardiff in a club-record transfer from Nantes on January 19, was in an aircraft that disappeared while travelling from Nantes to the Welsh capital on January 21.
The plane was found on the seabed of the English Channel on Sunday, while a body was recovered from the wreckage on Wednesday. It was identified as Sala on Thursday.
Warnock never got to see Sala play for his team, but ahead of Cardiff's trip to Southampton on Saturday, he said: "He was a Neil Warnock type of player.
"I always thought he was a type of player that would score 10 or 15 for me at the top level every year. But not just that - he would work hard as a team player.
"He just fit the criteria for what I look for in a player - somebody who can do something special, but at the same time is a very good lad."
"He was at the prime, I felt, and he knew he had things to prove. He'd been in a comfort zone in France. He'd improved every year.
"I think he was ready, if a little bit fearful of the challenge ahead. But he knew he had to make that step. I thought he could score goals in the Premier League, and he did too."
In the aftermath of Sala's disappearance, Warnock revealed he had considered retiring from football after enduring what he described as "the most difficult week" in his career.
However, the manager now says he was "a little bit over the top" with his reaction, and clarified that he "just said it made you think."
Sky Sports News understands Nantes have begun legal proceedings against Cardiff after failing to receive the first instalment of the transfer fee for Sala.
Warnock was reluctant to comment on the issue, and instead chose to praise the Cardiff board for their handling of the situation.
However, when asked if Nantes's actions were insensitive, he said: "Anyone sensible will have their own view on that."
