Phil SumblerWith the long expected arrival of Carl Rushworth in Swansea confirmed yesterday afternoon it was almost immediately revealed that Fulham were interested in a move for Steven Benda who has entered the last year of his contract at the club.
Rushworth had a busy day as he signed a season long loan at the Swansea.com stadium on top of his extended deal at Brighton and will immediately take the first choice position between the sticks under Michael Duff.
The influence of Martin Margetson in the arrival of Rushworth should not be underestimated with the keeper well known to Margetson through his work with the England national team.
It was speculated last week that the Swans may look to move Benda on following the arrival of Rushworth and Ian Mitchelmore, formerly of Wales Online, stated in a Tweet last night that Fulham had interest in the keeper. He stated that this may be one to watch later in the window or possibly January given the current injury status of the keeper.
Benda was bought in during the early stages of last season as Martin lost faith in Fisher but an injury gave the former MK Dons keeper the chance to be first choice at the back end of the season and, despite moments of shakiness, he improved vastly during the end period of the season as the Swans form improved generally.
A move for Benda is possibly not one that anyone really saw coming even more so when you consider that the interest is from a division above but, as written last week, I can see the logic in why we may look to move him on for some level of fee rather than lose him for nothing next summer.
Carl Rushworth, Harrison Ashby and Mykola Kukharevich all expected to join Swansea ahead of their 23/24 opener against Birmingham. #Swans
Elsewhere, Fulham have shown interest in Steven Benda. May be one to keep an eye on later in the window or in January given his injury. #FFC
— Ian Mitchelmore (@IanMitchelmore) July 31, 2023
Benda has never really held down any level of consistent place in the first team in what has now been six years in SA1. Loan spells at Swindon and Peterborough have always appeared to be more productive and he has started just twenty-seven league games in those six years.
The Swans formerly confirmed last night the arrival of Mykola Kuharevich, as suggested on Saturday, and certainly adds to the belief in the fanbase that, despite reports to the contrary, Joel Piroe will still depart this summer – nothing has changed on that front as far as this window is concerned. The right deal will see him depart. This was on top of the arrival of Rishworth just shortly beforehand.
Harrison Ashby will be the next in line as our summer of rebuilding continues and it is still anticipated that Kristian Pedersen will be completed before the season starts on Saturday which could make this one of the busiest weeks we have seen in many a transfer window – credit to all concerned for that.
Whether Benda leaving is also part of that busy window remains to be seen but, as said last week, a move now makes sense and tells us that a keeper will remain high on our priority list through this season in advance of next!
