Phil SumblerIt is fair to say that last season we were very strong in the loan market particularly in the January window as moves for Marc Guehi, Conor Gallagher and Rhian Brewster all proved to be successful in a run to a play off semi final at the end of the season.
The Swans finances mean that the utilisation of the loan market is an essential part of our current model as a club and if we can continue to find the best youngsters out there who can fit into our side then it is not to be too heavily criticised at a time when we know that Steve Cooper will not be gifted huge transfer kittys.
And Cooper himself at the moment knows that it is a market that can prove lucrative for any Championship club and he believes that the successes of last season can be repeated this season with club’s approaching us to see if we want to take players on loan maybe before we have even approached them.
I don’t think that any Swansea fan should be concerned that this would be the case. We have seen many times over the years the benefits of loan players even if you think back to some of the players of the past who have made a huge difference to the side when here on loan. All clubs – maybe even more so at this point in time – should be looking into this market as Premier League clubs have strong academy set ups and are looking at first team experience for those players they rate at the top end of their academy talent.
And in Steve Cooper this is where we have maybe a slight advantage thanks to his time with England Under-17s and their World Cup success. He is seen as someone who can work with and get the best out of players at the front end of their career and that, if it plays to the club’s advantage, can only be a good thing.
We know we are going to have to use the loan market again. The long-term vision would be to produce players ourselves, and have players signed on longer-term contracts and building consistency.
“We are not at that stage yet, but on the basis the loans have gone well a lot of the bigger clubs are looking at us and thinking it’s a good place to place their players.- Steve Cooper
Cooper did remain tight lipped on who his targets maybe but what is clear that as well as the players already into the club there will be more arrivals as he looks to strengthen his squad ahead of the season starting on September 12th.
