Phil Sumbler
Flynn Downes could be a man in demand this summer. The midfielder, signed by the Swans from Ipswich last season, has been a pivotal part of Russell Martin’s side all season and it is no surprise to many that he is attracting interest from elsewhere.
There has been plenty of speculation that Leeds United have talked about Downes as a potential replacement for Kalvin Phillips should the midfielder leave Elland Road – as expected – this summer but of course, for now, that is just speculation.
The form of the likes of Downes together with Joel Piroe and Michael Obafemi is bound to see transfer speculation this season and the Swans will work to try and hang onto their prized assets as best as they can however those in charge at the Swansea.com stadium will always have that tricky balance between ambitions on the pitch and the balancing of the books off it.
What is key though is that Downes is clearly – rightly – not bothered at the moment by what is pure speculation and focused on the job in hand for the Swans who head into the last four games of the season looking to do what they can to secure a top half spot and on the back of a seven game unbeate run.
“To be honest, I don’t take any notice of stuff like that”, Downes said when facing the rpess yesterday and asked about the interest from elsewhere.
“I know every player says the same but I actually haven’t taken any notice. When I was at Ipswich I felt like I took too much notice of what was going on, and I have really learned from that and promised myself I would not be like that again. So, I will just carry on doing what I do and concentrate on my football.
“It’s football and anything can happen, but I love it here and I am happy here. Next year, I have high hopes for what we can achieve so I am not thinking about anything else. I have always said playing in the Premier League is dream, I really want to do that.
“I know people say the money changes when you are in the Premier League, but there’s more to life than money. I have learned that. I am really happy here, I have just bought a house down here and am getting settled. It was a bit stressful, but we got there in the end!”
It is clear from listening to Downes that he is as much bought into the philosophy of Russell Martin and his coaching team as anyone else and he wants to see what that can deliver next season. Of course you never completely take everything as a sealed package but Downes is clearly enjoying life in SA1 and doesn’t see a need for that to change any time soon.
“I think next year is really, really promising,” he added.
“I am more than excited. From what we have done this year, if you just give us a bit more time and we have a full pre-season together, I think it could be scary. Win the league. Just put it out there – why not? I think this year, when I go into a game, I think I am talking on behalf of all the boys here, there’s not one team that we go in and think [we cannot beat].
“Next year, when we have had more time, I can see us going into every game and being fully confident that we are going to win every game. You have got to aim high haven’t you?”
Confidence is clearly something that Downes doesn’t lack and it is clear that he has massive ambition for himself both now and throughout his career – as Swans fans we can only hope that he realises those ambitions with us.
