Premier League Countdown: Swansea looking to improve on last season
The new Premier League season is inching ever nearer, so it’s time to start thinking about how the upcoming campaign will shake out.
In the build-up to the new season we’re profiling each of the 20 top-flight clubs, from Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City to Premier League newboys Brighton & Hove Albion.
Our next team in the spotlight is Swansea City…
After last season’s great escape, the Swans will be hoping for a slightly quieter campaign this time around.
The arrival of manager Paul Clement proved a masterstroke as the Welsh side eventually avoided relegation by a comfortable seven points.
With a few quality arrivals already through the door at the Liberty Stadium, City – now in their seventh straight top-flight campaign – have cause to be optimistic.
Tammy Abraham, third top scorer in the Championship last season with Bristol City, has signed on loan from Chelsea, while Roque Mesa, an £11m capture, links up from Las Palmas.
Standing at 5ft 7in tall and with a 91.4% pass competition rate last season, the diminutive Mesa fits the Swansea blueprint perfectly.
The duo will need to combine immediately to avoid a repeat of last season’s struggles.
City failed to win a game at the Liberty until 10 December last season, a repeat of which would put the South Wales club in serious danger once again.
Conceding goals was also an issue for the SA1 club last season, with only relegated Hull City shipping more than the Swans backline.
Alfie Mawson has shown considerable improvement in the past year or so but could be forced to firefight if defensive improvements aren’t brought in.
Swansea City – 2017-18
Key arrivals: Tammy Abraham, Roque Mesa
Key departures: Jack Cork, Bafetimbi Gomis
Man to watch: Alfie Mawson
Title odds:750/1
Best bet: To finish higher than Stoke @ 7/4
We say: The Swans have definitely improved on last season’s squad and look like a good bet to avoid relegation again this term. They’ve got depth in attacking areas, creativity in midfield and a manager with the knowhow to link everything up on and off the pitch.
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