Swansea Team Guide: Keeping Bony vital to avoiding dogfight

Team Name: Swansea

Manager: Garry Monk

Last Season: 12th

Who they’ve signed so far: Lukasz Fabianski (Arsenal, Free) Bafetimbi Gomis (Lyon, Free), Stephen Kingsley (Falkirk), Marvin Emnes (Middlesbrough), Gylfi Sigurdsson (Tottenham, Player Ex), Jefferson Montero (Monarcas Morelia), Adnan Maric (GAIS)

Out of the exit door: Leroy Lita (Released), David N’Gog (Released), Ben Davies (Spurs, Player Ex), Michel Vorm (Spurs £3.5m) Alejandro Pozuelo (Rayo Vallecano), Chico Flores (Lekhwiya), Michu (Napoli on loan)

Star Man: Wilfried Bony

Signed from Vittesse last summer after two prolific seasons plying his trade in the Eredivisie, the Ivorian striker made a mockery of the so-called adjustment period – scoring 25 times in his debut season at the Liberty.

The strapping Ivory Coast international, who scored twice at the World Cup, is a defender’s worse nightmare as he is super strong, brilliant in the air and skilful on the deck, though perhaps a true burst of pace is the only thing missing from his repertoire.

Unsurprisingly, the Swans have been trying their hardest to quell interest from the likes of Liverpool during the transfer window.

Under the Radar: Jefferson Montero

The exciting Ecuadorian winger, 24, has pace to burn and despite not seeming to cut the mustard at Villarreal early in his career has since flourished in the Mexican top flight.

Montero shot to prominence for his country at the World Cup, starting all three of his country’s group games as Ecuador went agonisingly close to qualifying for the knock-out stages.

Team Liability: Jonjo Shelvey

What a shame centre-back Chico Flores has left the club as the Spaniard was a shoo-in for this title. However, the former Liverpool midfielder is a decent enough deputy, who can easily mix the sublime with the ridiculous.

This was never more in evidence when the hot-headed Englishman both scored and promptly gave away a goal just a minute or so later when Swansea entertained the Reds last season.

Title Odds: 2500/1

Best Bet: To finish in the bottom ten @ 1/3

Our Verdict:

Having lost Michu to Napoli, keeping Bony is an absolute must if the Swans are to avoid a really sticky season and Monk is to maintain his grip on the Liberty Stadium reigns.

While they finished with a mini flourish in the end to elevate themselves to 12th, there were some very concerning winless stretches last season.

Home form will be vital once more and the fact there is no European distractions should aid the Welsh club’s cause, but survival is still priority for Monk.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

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