Exclusive – By Terry Phillips
Hotshot striker Kenneth Zohore has made it clear he WILL be leading Cardiff City’s bid for promotion to the Premier League this season.
Hull City are keen on the Danish under-21 international and a number of other clubs are monitoring the situation, but Zohore left no room for doubt in a Dai Sport interview.
“There has apparently been interest in me from a couple of clubs, but I am happy with Cardiff City,” said Zohore. “I want to stay. I will be staying.”
The big Dane is under contract for the next three seasons and is adamant he’s staying with the Bluebirds.
That is outstanding news for Cardiff hopes of building a promotion challenge and came only a few hours after captain Sean Morrison confirmed he has signed a new three-year contract.
Zohore has netted three goals in two matches on City’s Cornish pre-season tour, two in a 7-2 win at AFC Tavistock and another against Bodmin Town.
“I’m happy with how things are going, I’m happy when I score whether it’s in a friendly or the Championship,” he said.
Zohore was talking during a break in training at the Duchy College, Cornwall and he was quick to make a correction when asked about the 11 goals he scored last season.
“It was 12 – and my target is to score a lot more in the coming season,” said the 23-year-old Copenhagen-born forward.
“We are giving it a real go for promotion this season and I want to be part of that.
“It’s good to have options in attack with new signings Danny Ward and Lee Tomlin. They are quality players and I’m hoping they will feed me and help me score more goals.”
Zohore struggled to earn a regular first team place under former manager Paul Trollope, but has blossomed since Neil Warnock took charge.
“My game has developed a lot,” says Zohore. “It’s all about confidence and the gaffer has given me that. I play off confidence.
“A year ago I didn’t have a good pre-season and didn’t really play for six months. This time I’m working hard preparing for the challenge ahead and feeling good.”
He played for Denmark at under-21 level over the summer, but wasn’t happy with the way it went, saying: “I had one good game, but we didn’t qualify.
“Right now, though, I’m not thinking about international football. It’s all about Cardiff City for me.”
Warnock believes he can help Zohore improve his game even more and the Yorkshireman said in an interview this week that the former Fiorentina and Brondy IF forward is not for sale ‘unless I have a heart attack and another manager takes over.’
Zohore was Cardiff’s top scorer in 2016-17 with 12 goals in 23 appearances and Warnock says: ”He realises I’ve resurrected his career and needs another 12 months with me and knock some goals in and then the world’s his oyster” said Warnock.
“He is only going to get better. He’s the find of my time at the club,” said Warnock.
“He’s learning all the time. I don’t even think Ken thought he could work as hard as he has. He’s showing his commitment to the team and I think the lads appreciate it.”
The Denmark international is contracted to Cardiff until 2020 after agreeing a new deal in April.
Zohore will be in action in Cardiff’s final Cornish tour fixture tomorrow when they play Plymouth Argyle at Home Park.