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Gabbidon has starred in Wales's last two matches, the 1-1 draw in Croatia and the 2-0 victory in Finland in the opening Euro 2004 qualifier.
And the 23-year-old from Cwmbran enhanced his growing reputation during the Bluebirds' 1-0 Worthington Cup defeat at Tottenham on Wednesday when he matched England striker Teddy Sheringham blow for blow.
City manager Lennie Lawrence is bracing himself for offers for one of his prize assets in January when the Premiership transfer window opens for a month - but former Everton defender Ratcliffe doubts anyone will be knocking on the Ninian Park door.
"Premiership clubs now go abroad for players, probably because they are cheaper than our homegrown players," said Ratcliffe, now managing Third Division club Shrewsbury.
"I think there are too many foreigners in our football and it's not giving our own players a chance. The interest from top-flight clubs in players in the lower divisions is not like it used to be.
"I've got a couple of talented lads at Shrewsbury who should be playing at a higher level but no one is showing any interest.
"A lot of people are saying Danny is going to play in the Premiership and probably his best chance of doing that is with Cardiff.
"For instance, if my old club Everton want to buy a centre-back then they'll probably go abroad for him. That's the way it is at the moment.
"I watched a reserve game recently between Manchester City and Everton and City had seven or eight foreign players. It's beyond a joke when you've got that number playing in the reserves.
"It would be nice to see young British players like Danny getting a chance in the Premiership, but the fact is there aren't any opportunities for them because of all the foreign players.
"At the same time, there's always a question mark over whether a player from the First or Second Division will make it in the Premier League."
But Ratcliffe, capped 59 times by his country over a 12-year period, believes Gabbidon has the one quality to make it in the top flight.
"He's quick, that's his biggest asset," he said.
"If you want to play in the Premiership you need pace. There aren't too many players without pace in that league.
"The days of the big, strong centre-back are over. Now you need pace. The other quality he has is that nothing seems to ruffle him."
City rescued Gabbidon from West Brom's scrapheap two years ago and he moved to Ninian Park in a deal worth £800,000. He is now valued in the £5m bracket.
"Danny has done well for Wales. Mark Hughes (Wales manager) had to play him because Robert Page was injured," said Ratcliffe.