Phil SumblerThis is always a nervy time for football supporters with pre-season friendlies highlighting deficiencies in the squad and the desire to do deals often balanced out by other factors particularly when it comes to loan deals.
Clubs are always reluctant to deal early in a loan market given the additional cost it adds to wage bills but they have to balance that with the desire to get the loan players in before the season starts.
The Swans summer has been relatively organised so far (manager departure apart) with plans put in place early and first choice players identified, confirmed and now all we do is await the arrival of the players who will strengthen the team.
Carl Rushworth and Harrison Ashby are two of those players. Whilst reports in the national media suggest that we are just considering these players the deals have been in place for these deals to happen way back to the early reports of our interest in the players. Both will add depth to a defensive line that looked shaky at best on Friday night at Oxford and, most importantly, both will go straight into the first team when they finally arrive in SA1 pushing Andy Fisher and, from Friday’s team – Kyle Naughton to the bench.
The name of Rushworth was first linked on July 13 (story here) following two exceptional loan spells in Leagues Two and One over the past two seasons. 92 appearances (85 in the league) tell you much about those two loan spells and Brighton are keen to see how he can perform in the Championship at Swansea. This loan deal works for both clubs and, given the pedigree of Rushworth, we can expect much from him when he arrives.
The name of Harrison Ashby came to the fore when we reported it last Monday (story here) and much of what you need to know about him is given by the fact the Geordies paid £3m for his services last January. Whilst he is not near their first team at present he is highly valued by Eddie Howe and his team and a loan spell into the Championship is seen as the next natural stage of his development.
Lee Buchanan has been a player linked for a few weeks now and the Swans are still believe to be closing in on his signature (story here) although it is still noted with interest that Jamal Lewis at Newcastle remains linked with the club which suggests that the Swans are keeping their ‘Plan B’ in their pocket just in case it is needed.
Certainly as far as the two loan deals are concerned they remain very much on track to be completed – as confirmed by Michael Duff on Friday night – and it is still firmly expected that Buchanan will join them.
Departures from the Swansea.com stadium are still expected in the window with the obvious name of Joel Piroe very high on everyone’s list as an exit (latest here). It is also understood that there may have been enquiries for another player to leave Swansea this summer but no progress on that front has been made as yet.
The Swans side will look very different by the time the Birmingham game arrives on August 5th and it seems clear that Paul Watson, Michael Duff and the team are working well on getting these deals over the line.
As you were!
This is a time of great change – the board ,the management and the players .Hard to assess where we’ll be at the start of the season and what sort of football we’ll be playing .With so many players to come in and probably leave Duff will need time and the fans will have to be patient.Above all else let’s replace Fisher
Defence looked shaky because there was nothing in front of them and the instruction appeared to be hoof it up field.
One out of left field. What if the new investment allowed us not to be forced to sell Piroe this season but we give him an improved contract with the one year extension with his option to be sold at the end of this season if we don’t go up.
Another good season in the championship and his value goes up and a better chance of a top Premier club. The championship clubs said to be interested have no guarantee of going up.
For Swansea a better chance of going up and Piroe’s value going up and who knows, if we go up, he may stay on Premiership wages.
From Piroe’s viewpoint at the end of the season his value should be higher with a greater choice of clubs.
A win win for Swansea and Piroe?
The premier clubs interested were both fighting relegation last year.
Interesting view Gareth and one that works if all goes to your plan.
Alternative view is that Piroe signs the contract, he doesn’t fit as well into a Duff side, maybe has a few injuries to sideline him this season and his value (or demand) for himgoes down
His extended contract (undoubtedly on higher wages) sees us having to increase wages for several other players
The problem is with Piroe at the moment is he isnt ready for the Premier League (that is why the clubs interested are Championship clubs fighting at the moment in the PL) and we have to cash in (sustainable finances) whilst his figure is high as there are no guarantees it will go higher!
I like it .Probably too sensible
It’s all up to Piroe either sign a new improved contract or go. We can’t afford to have a player worth £15-£20m and out of contract next year and going on a free at the end of next season.