Planet Swans ArchivesIndeed I think it would be fair to say that to even think about doing so would be a kick in the teeth not just for the fans but the new manager and a sign that we really are preparing for life in the Championship.
That is a phrase that has been used over the course of the last few months and one that I hope we are not doing but any signs that we would sell a player of the class of Gylfi and it is almost impossible to see any argument that would say the squad would be strengthened as a result.
Ever since we first bought him to the club in January 2012, we have seen just what an impact that he can make. For me he was absolutely key that first season in the Premier League in making our survival so comfortable in the end and since we bought him back he has continually contributed goals, assists and a vision that very few players have. Indeed, I don’t think there is much doubt that he is one of the top midfielders in the Premier League.
I will accept that this season he has probably not lived up to the expectations that we have of him – and I suspect that he has of himself – but let’s be honest as well it has been extremely difficult to shine in the side that we have seen for the first half of this season.
For any player to leave the club at this point in time you have to say that it would need to be only if we can bring in a replacement that is better and improves the side. Clearly Sigurdsson would command a very large transfer fee and that could see us being able to bring in 2-3 quality replacements but given our poor recruitment policy over recent years and the fact that new players take time to gel and you wonder why it would even cross our mind to do so.
Paul Clement should be looking at someone like Gylfi and wanting to build a team around him. It isn’t that often that you are blessed with someone with his skills and we have shown in the past just how much we gain when we get the best from him.
The stats speak for themselves – he has made 100 starts (and 6 as sub) for the Swans in the Premier League and found the net on 30 occasions. You simply do not replace that with any ease and you certainly do not replace that with three weeks of a transfer window remaining. And certainly not when you are in a relegation battle.
And you would hope that Paul Clement and our owners realise that. Gylfi simply must stay
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