Our series of 2015-16 Premier League team previews continues with a look at Swansea City, who are seeking to continue improving after their highest ever Premier League finish.
Summer transfers
Swansea have been stalwart during the transfer window so far. Portuguese striker Eder came from Braga and should provide support for Bafetimbi Gomis up front, making sure Wilfried Bony’s departure is fully forgotten. Franck Tabanou is supposed to tighten defence at left-back, having joined from AS Saint-Étienne.
Kristoffer Nordfeldt came from SC Heerenveen as a backup for irreplaceable goalkeeper Lukasz Fabiański, but the biggest deal the Swans have completed so far is the signing of Andre Ayew. The 25-year-old Ghanaian’s contract ended at Marseille and should be Garry Monk’s first choice on the left wing. Pacey Ayew had a hand in 85 goals during five years at Les Olympiens.
As for departures, Jazz Richards departed for Championship side Fulham for around £500,000, while several older players were released, including Alan Tate and Gerhard Tremmel.
Last season
The 2014-15 campaign was steadier than many seemed to expect. Swansea started the season in a strong fashion with three victories to open the season and continued in the same vein, claiming eighth place at season’s end, its highest position ever. The Swans secured 56 points, their new record, while Gylfi Sigurdsson and Ki Sung-yueng dictated from the midfield with 15 goals combined.
Monk’s men never fell lower than ninth place, and the season’s biggest concern, coming in January, when Manchester City splashed near £23m for Wilfried Bony, did not seem to affect them. Swansea quickly filled that void by signing Bafetimbi Gomis.
Manager
After he replacing Michael Laudrup in February 2014, former Swansea player Monk takes charge of his second season as manager. Despite parting with the club’s best player, Monk was able to solidify the Swans’ standing as a top-half Premier League club in his first campaign at the helm.
Swansea will continue to play their possession-based game style in a typical 4-2-3-1 formation. Monk brought in players who will improve the team’s depth, but the core of the last term’s successful squad remains. However, the 36-year-old manager will have to make the most of Gylfi Sigurdsson’s creativity and Ayew’s speed, since the Swans lacked pacey alternatives when trailing.
Strengths
The strongest area of the team is midfield. Swansea have a lot of possible combinations, with regulars Jonjo Shelvey and Ki at its centre. The pair are able to operate in both directions, which gives flexibility to Monk’s fluid style.
Sigurdsson will be expected to provide in attacking-midfield again, after seven goals and 10 assists last time out and newcomer Ayew could bring more rhythm which Swansea lacked. The likes of Nathan Dyer and Jack Cork will provide depth during a long season while Jefferson Montero had a solid first season and should improve from there.
Weaknesses
Swansea often lack a resolute mentality on the pitch. Last season, they managed to lose four matches in which they had a 1-0 lead and improvement in that area could mean even higher finish this season.
The forward line does not seem too convincing. Gomis must improve on last season’s tally and Eder’s settlement in the Premier League cannot be predicted easily. If the two of them are out of form or on the sidelines, it is hard to rely on Marvin Emnes and Modou Barrow. Neither the Dutch nor Gambian have scored in England’s top flight so far after managing a combined nine hours on the pitch.
Key player
Last season, both Fabiański and Sigurdsson were pivotal to Swansea’s lofty position in the Premier League. The Polish custodian was outstanding in goal, making 140 saves – which was the league’s highest last season – and Icelandic playmaker was pulling the strings in midfield.
Sigurdsson was a picture of consistency, scoring and assisting from August to May, without exception. His goals directly brought the Swans 12 points, but some of those came against stronger teams, such as Manchester United and Arsenal. The 25-year-old made more key passes last season than any of his teammates (74), making him very important to the way the Swans play.
Since Monk has strengthened his defensive line this summer, Fabianski should have less work to do. That should mean more opportunity for the Icelandic attacking midfielder to shine.
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Best XI
(4-2-3-1): Fabiański (GK); Naughton, Fernandez, Williams, Taylor; Ki, Shelvey; Dyer/Montero, Sigurdsson, Ayew; Gomis.
Prediction
A solid season is ahead of Swansea. The team is stronger and Monk will have greater squad depth which will play a part in a long season. Swansea failed to qualify for Europa League, which will give them the edge of playing less games than Southampton, West Ham and even Tottenham Hotspur.
Last season they proved many doubters wrong, which shows great character. They are contenders for another top-half finish. Yet, if they manage to avoid many injuries, Swansea will be fighting for a spot in the Europa League.
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