revolving door - in
by sandman slim
It’s been a busy Summer for the Swans’ media team with several announcement videos needed for the influx of new players. Sandman Slim offers up his opinion on the fresh faces in the dressing room…
Swaggering in
Position: Striker
Deal: 🚨 Undisclosed Fee Klaxon 🚨 Bought from Blackpool
In a Nutshell: Energiser Bunny front man
The Skinny: The Swans splashed out to bag Blackpool forward Yates, shelling out an estimated £2.5m – although a chunk of that would have been recouped when Kyle Joseph went in the opposite direction a few days later.
Yates looks to be a shrewd signing; mid 20’s so in his prime and with potential sell on value, able to play up front or on the wing thus providing flexibility and he’s plundered close to 50 goals for Blackpool in his three seasons there.
He’s already struck for the Swans, finishing off from close range in the season’s opening day draw with Birmingham and he promises to deliver double figure goals this season.
It isn’t just goals that he brings though – he’s constantly on the move up top, to the extent he should be checked for some sort of personal external power source! The perpetual motion has purpose too and he can create chances for those around him with his ability on the ball.
It’s a signing that looks good value for money…which is just as well as he’s the most expensive signing since Bersant Celina was bought for £3m of our first parachute payment.
Let’s hope this Jerry is rigged for goals, goals and more goals (especially as every one will cost the editor a fiver this season!)
Position: Forward
Deal: On Loan from Bournemouth
In a Nutshell: Returning Hero/PE Teacher
The Skinny: Jamal Lowe’s return to the Swans after two seasons was a Deadline Day surprise; whether it was a good or bad surprise depends who you speak to.
Lowe’s a strange player in my eyes – like a poor man’s Lukaku, on some days he’s brilliant, unplayable and will score sensational goals, on other days he looks just like the PE teacher he was before he turned professional, allowed to run onto the pitch as a competition prize or reality TV gimmick.
But the long and the short of it is that with time ticking down on that frantic last transfer day there weren’t many viable options to replace the Party Man Piroe and so a short term loan until we can try again in January is not the worst idea in the world.
And with a bit of pace about him and plenty of persistence and willingness to run channels, he might well be a decent fit for Michael Duff’s style. When the manager finds one.
Ahh, it is good to see you back Jamz – I think you’ll make a contribution over the next few months. In your streaky form kinda way.
Position: Forward
Deal: Free transfer
In a Nutshell: Gin and Sonic Boom
The Skinny: Hearts were broken when pacey forward Ginnelly raced out of Scottish football and into the top club in Wales as soon as his contract came to an end.
The jealous Jambos did everything possible to get Ginnelly to extend his stay for a fourth year at least after benefitting from his 13 goals and 6 assists. However, the player was determined to move on and endorsements from his ex-colleagues Stephen Kingston and Barry Mackay saw him choose the Swans over four Championship rivals.
Possessing blistering pace and delicate close control, Ginnelly’s another versatile performer who can operate centrally as well as on the wing.
An injury in his first training session left more than a few fans banging their heads on a brick wall screaming “not another Liam Walsh” but a return to action in the Carabao Cup win over Northampton soon turned the collective frown upside down.
Coming on as a late substitute with the game already safe, Ginnelly whet the fans’ appetite with what could well already be the goal of season. picking the ball up just inside the Northampton half, Ginnelly controlled the ball, nutmegged one defender whilst rolling off a second, advanced purposefully forward and then unleashed an unstoppable effort into the top corner. Lovely stuff!
There’s a bit of Devil about this boy too, and whilst he might not get the sort of figures for goals and assists he did last season, he’s sure to bring some tricks to the table.
Position: Left sided Defender
Deal: 🚨 Undisclosed Fee Klaxon 🚨 Bought from FC Cologne
In a Nutshell: left footed hard assed bastard
The Skinny: The Swans had stalked Pedersen all summer but left it to Deadline Day to push a deal through. The defensive capture from Cologne comes across as a bit whiffy to some fans, but it has the smell of success to me.
Pedersen is just what we need for a number of reasons. At 29 he has bags of experience and that includes at Championship level where he did a steady job for Birmingham.
As a left footer he brings Duff the balance that Duff craves and also a deal of versatility for he can perform at left back, wingback or centre half.
But perhaps most important, Pedersen – who in a different life could have made a career out of stunt doubling for Dolph Lundgren – brings a nasty and abrasive presence that has been lacking from the Swans ranks for a number of seasons.
Probably won’t be a regular starter, but Pedersen will play a part this campaign, and his experience could be vital.
Position: Goalkeeper
Deal: On loan from Brighton
In a Nutshell: Kid gloves but lots of ability
The Skinny: Goalkeeper has been a real issue – Freddie Woodman aside – and with Steve Benda still out for a while, the manager wasn’t going to rely on Andy Fisher and an untested Lewis Webb.
That’s prompted a move for Brighton’s highly rated England U21 stopper Rushworth on loan.
Rushworth looked every inch a Swans keeper in the opening fixture against Birmingham – a couple of great saves and a bit of a howler that cost the opening goal – and he had one or two shaky moments in the Carabao Cup win over Northampton.
But on the whole he looks a far more solid option than the hapless Fisher; he’ll make mistakes but both the Seagulls and Michael Duff are prepared to let him make those mistakes here at Swansea in order to benefit. The Swans get access to a very talented young player who will do a fine job this season in a position that’s a problem for us, and Brighton will get a more experienced and mature player back at the end of the campaign.
One thing he could do with is a bit of stability in front of him and hopefully things will settle down iin a few weeks with the closure of the transfer window and a reshaped backline that’s cut out the Chuckle Brothers stuff seen so often under Russell Martin.
Position: Striker
Deal: 🚨 Undisclosed Fee Klaxon 🚨 Signed permanently from Troyes
In a Nutshell: Very Big Ukrainian
The Skinny: We’ve seen very little of Kuharevich so far but the instant I saw him on the touchline ready to come on against Northampton my warped mind was superimposing Deadpool’s version of Colossus over the top of him.
Then I started mimicking the voice, rumbling “four or five moments – that ‘s all it takes to be a superhero”. It’s amazing what I get up to in order to entertain myself at matches – a legacy of the Steve Cooper days!
Anyway, I digress.
The strapping 22 year old has signed on a 3 year contract from French club Troyes after impressing on loan at Hibs last season.
His brief appearance against the Cobblers suggested he’s got more to offer than just being a ‘lump up front’. Possessing a decent touch and an instinct to show for runs behind, Metal Mickey also has a stride that just eats up the turf, and in a side that’s seriously short of pace that’s pretty damn useful!
This one could be a cult hero in the making!
Position: Midfielder
Deal: On loan from Arsenal
In a Nutshell: Young Gunner
The Skinny: Charlie Patino – it’s the sort of name you’d expect to come across in an episode of The Sopranos rather than Arsenal’s youth academy. Unfortunately, the youngster isn’t the deadly hit man we desperately need but he is a very talented player who will bring a lot to the Swans midfield.
Already in a couple of appearances the youngster has racked up a couple of assists thanks to his sweet ball delivery and he’s formed a half tidy understanding with Josh Key on the left side.
Another bonus is his time on loan with Blackpool last season where he linked up nicely with Jerry Yates – we just won’t mention that they also got relegated together at Bloomfield Road!
Here’s a more positive fact for you though – it took Chaz just 11 minutes of his full Arsenal debut to get on the scoresheet with a Carabao Cup quarter final goal against Sunderland at the end of 2021.
Arsenal hold him in astronomically high regard and hope he can use his time at the Swans to hone the effortless silky skills he possesses.
Let’s hope he’s a hit, man…
Position: Full Back
Deal: Permanent Capture for Compensation From Exeter
In a Nutshell: Rampaging right sided wide man excelling on the left
The Skinny: An eight year stay at Exeter came to an end for Josh Key when he exited for Swansea City, becoming Michael Duff’s second signing of the summer.
Grecians fans were broken-hearted to see the young full or wing back leave but such is their fondness for the lad they were mostly approving of his opportunity to step up to the Championship with the Swans.
And step up he has, proving to be the best of the new bunch so far, despite being deployed on the left instead of his natural berth on the right side of the pitch.
It’s easy to see why the Exeter fans love him so much – full of energy, Key rampages up the field and looks to make things happen, but not at the cost of his defensive responsibilities.
His appearances have been all the more impressive given that he’s hampered by playing on the rather than the right side – but this speaks well of both his versatility and attitude.
With the loan of high profile Harrison Ashby on his favoured right side, and the capture of Tjoe-A-On and maybe A N Other too on the left, Key faces significant competition for a place in the team on either side of the pitch – but his outstanding performances so far suggest that he isn’t going to give up his new Swans shirt lightly.
Position: Full Back
Deal: On Loan from Newcastle
In a Nutshell: Forward thinking full back with a lot to learn
The Skinny: Big spending Saudi apologists Newcastle United were delighted to sign Ashby from West Ham for £3m in January of this year, hoping the young Scottish international from Milton Keynes could bloom into a long term replacement for Kieron Trippier. Injury stopped him in his tracks though.
Come pre-season Ashby was back on the pitch and impressing Toon fans with his rampaging right back play, and there were many within the Toon Army that wanted the youngster kept around to boost a squad facing the additional challenge of Champions League this season. Eddie Howe though wants Ashby gaining experience through competitive game time and so has sent him to Swansea City for the season.
But…young Harrison has struggled from the off. Pushing fellow right back signing Josh Key over to the left to begin with, Ashby has seen his team mate really kick on, and when Duff was finally able to solve his left sided issues through the transfer market it’s Key who’s claimed the right sided spot, leaving Ashby’s arse on the bench.
The lad’s looked off the pace and unprepared for muscular competitiveness of the Championship and he looks set for life on the bench with Duff’s defensive options now numerous.
Don’t be surprised to see a Tyneside recall in January.
Position: Full Back
Deal: 🚨 Undisclosed Fee Klaxon 🚨 Signed permanently from Stoke
In a Nutshell: Steady Potters performer at left back
The Skinny: Another Deadline Day left back signing, and another Josh to add to Messrs Key and Ginelly, Tymon is the orthodox left footed left back that Duff desperately wanted.
So much so that Paul Watson and the Board have backed Duff by sanctioning a large fee – said to be £2m – to bring the 24 year old in from Stoke.
Tymon had been first choice for a couple of seasons but got shunted out of the front line by the Potters capture of Enda Stevens.
There’s no frills with Tymon, just a solid and steady defender, and let’s face it, that’s just what the Swans need more of right now to help shore up a defensive backline that became worryingly flaky under Russell Martin.
Having sat out the opening weeks of the season Tymon will need a little time to get properly up to speed but he should soon settle in and provide a reliable option on that problematic left flank.
Duff will be hoping that’s the case because right now he definitely has not got time on his side! [Groan – Ed.]
Position: Centre Back
Deal: On Loan from Chelsea
In a Nutshell: Marc Guehi Mark II (hopefully!)
The Skinny: The summer long chase for Humphreys ended in unexpected success on Deadline Day. Up to that point it looked as if the 20 year old centre half would be kept at Chelsea to fight for a place in the first team squad.
Whatever it was that changed Blues manager Pochetino’s mind, it was good for Swansea as the ball playing left sided centre half headed for South Wales to continue his footballing education.
A similar educational field trip in January saw Humphreys step up to senior first team football in the German second tier with Paderborn, and the Exeter born England Under 20s international did sehr gut.
Swans fans will be hoping Humpheys can follow in the recent footsteps of Marc Guehi, another Chelsea young centre half who truly came of age playing for the Swans.
In his one appearance so far – the draw at Queens Park Rangers – Humphreys did ok. Put it this way, when it comes to comparing him to high profile loan centre halves, he looked more likely to do a Marc Guehi than a Rhys Williams.
I’m looking forward to seeing what the lad is made of.
