Welcome to IntoTheTopCorner’s team-by-team preview to the new Barclays Premier League season. Here we look at Swansea City’s vital stats, their summer transfers and analyse their chances.
Manager: Michael Laudrup.
Captain: Ashley Williams.
Stadium: Liberty Stadium (20,532).
Last season: 11th.
Leading scorer (PL): Danny Graham (12).
Odds: Title 2500-1. Relegation 15-8.
In: Chicho (£2.2m, Genoa), Jonathan de Guzman (Loan, Villarreal), Michu (£2.2m, Rayo), Itay Shechter (Loan, Kaiserslautern).
Out: Joe Allen (£16.7m, Liverpool), Ferrie Bodde (Released), José Moreira (Released), Casey Thomas (Released).
Kits
Key Man – Danny Graham
Following Gylfi Sigurdsson’s departure, the goal scoring burden now solely rests heavily on the shoulders of Danny Graham. The former Watford forward ended the last season as the club’s top goal scorer with 12 Premier League strikes and he will be keen to keep firing in more goals this season at the head of Laudrup’s frontline.
Opening Fixtures
18-Aug – QPR (A)
26-Aug – West Ham (H)
01-Sep – Sunderland (H)
15-Sep – Aston Villa (A)
22-Sep – Everton (H)
29-Sep – Stoke (A)
Probable Formation (4-3-3): Vorm; Rangel, Williams, Chico, Taylor; Britton, de Guzman, Michu; Dyer, Graham, Sinclair.
Verdict: After last season’s superb displays under Brendan Rodgers, Michael Laudrup will have his work cut out to emulate those achievements in his first season in English football, which will be a huge test. Losing midfield pass-master Joe Allen will be harmful too – and Scott Sinclair looks likely to follow the Welshman after rejecting to sign a new contract. Laudrup has made some smart signings by bringing in Chico, Michu and Jonthan de Guzman but can Laudrup keep the Swans’ passing style of football going is a question that needs to be answered. It’s going to be a very tough season for the Swans, but I think they have enough quality in their squad to stay up and clear of a relegation scrap.
Prediction: 16th.
