Most of the public’s attention this transfer window has been directed towards two Premier League giants, Liverpool and Manchester United.
The two English league titans have both been extremely busy this summer, bringing in superstar signings such as Bastian Schweinsteiger and Roberto Firmino. But for all the success both clubs have had in the build-up to the new campaign, another is quietly going about winning the offseason.
Fans of the Premier League often forget about Swansea City. Promoted to the English top division in 2011, the Swans have only six years of Premier League experience to their name in total.
Since promotion, Swansea has quickly developed into a Premier League regular, with its lowest position on the table coming in the 2013-14 season where it finished a respectable 12th. Last season was an extremely successful one for the Wales-based club, finishing eighth on 56 points, both club records. The Swans have not rested on their laurels, however, as they have taken large strides to ensure 2016 will bring as much, if not more, success to the club.
Before adding to their already talented squad, Swansea looked to keeping two of the club’s most vital cogs in Wales. In recent weeks, the Swans have announced the long-term re-signings of manager Garry Monk and their midfield maestro Jonjo Shelvey.
Monk, who spent 10 years at the club as a player, was appointed interim manager after the sacking of former boss Michael Laudrup midway through the 2013-14 season. He was announced as the club’s full time manager at the beginning of the following season, leading Swansea to its highest ever placing in the Premier League, winning August’s manager of the month award in the process. The Swans were quick to reward Monk’s performance, with his new deal extending through to the end of 2018.
With its long-term manager locked away, Swansea was again quick to reward the form of key midfield man, Jonjo Shelvey. Still with two years to run on his current deal, Shelvey was delighted to add to his contract, keeping him at the Liberty Stadium until the end of 2019. Since making the move to Wales after falling out of favour at Liverpool, Shelvey has been the heart of Swansea’s midfield, making 63 Premier League appearances for the club and scoring nine goals. The midfielder’s new long-term deal with the Swans shows his faith in the club, and his belief they are on the right development path.
Along with the re-signing of key pieces of the Swansea puzzle, the club has added fantastic new talent to its squad. The recent signing of one-time Liverpool target Andre Ayew in particular highlights the club’s intentions of competing for European football. Ayew, son of three-time African Footballer of the Year Abedi Ayew, arrives at the Liberty Stadium on a free transfer from Ligue 1 side Marseille. The 2011 BBC African Footballer of the Year has 160 appearances for his former club, scoring 44 goals, mainly from left wing. A signing that has somewhat gone under the radar with big names such as Schweinsteiger, Firmino and Raheem Sterling dominating news headlines, Swansea has added yet another immensely talented player to its already talented squad.
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Along with its big-name signing in Ayew, Swansea has quietly gone about adding capable role players to its squad through the transfer window thus far. The additions of Portugese striker Eder from Sporting Braga, French left-back Franck Tabanou from St. Etienne and goalkeeper Krostoffer Nordfeldt from Heerenveen have all added depth to the Swans squad, a vital asset to have as the Premier League season can become gruelling at times. Not only do these signings add depth to the squad in case of injury or suspension, but they provide the incumbent starting XI with competition for their spots, a hallmark of successful sides in the past.
After a successful 2014-15 season, and perhaps an even more successful offseason, do not fall asleep on the Swans. They are getting ready for a big Premier League campaign, and doing it in the right fashion.
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