Bidwell leaves for Coventry – who is next?

Jake Bidwell has completed his expected move to Coventry, whilst Dan Williams has moved to Ireland to join Dundalk on a season long loan.

The two moves takes the number of January departures from the Swansea.com Stadium to 5 following completed deals for Morgan Whittaker and Liam Cullen both on loan to Lincoln City, and Steven Benda to Peterborough again on loan. This also follows Ethan Laird returning to Man Utd.

The question is, who is next to depart for pastures new? With transfer links for Jay Fulton, Yan Dhanda and Jamie Paterson, the Swansea squad could look much different by the end of January compared to the start.

Rhys Williams is also a possible to return to Liverpool after disappointing since arriving on a season long loan.

The six players leaving have all played a part in match day squads, and with only two transfers in so far, it should only be a matter of time before the doors start flying open again with the squad looking relatively thin.

Defensively should Williams leave, it leaves just one recognised left back, one genuine right back (with Naughton mostly used at centre half) and five centre halves. This, in a system of 5-3-2/3-5-2 only leaves two spare – injuries or suspensions would be catastrophic.

Midfield, in the unlikely event all three (Fulton, Dhanda and Paterson) departed it would leave only Matt Grimes, Flynn Downes’, Korey Smith, Olivier Ntcham and Liam Walsh competing for three positions.

Up front Joel Piroe, Michael Obafemi and Kyle Joseph battle out the forward position, which is generally a single striker.

That, in my opinion, would leave the club needing at least one defender, one midfielder (attack minded) and a forward player (one that could play more of a wider role). Harry Darling and Matt O’Riley have both been linked and would fill two of the above, but figures are the stumbling block with MK Dons wanting 7 figures for each player.

With two weeks left to go, lots to be done for the club and Russell Martin to get the team to where it needs to be. Following the Manager’s plea to the owners for funds before the end of the window, it remains to be seen whether he will get what he wants and needs.