The Elephant Not in the Room: Jerry Yates and the Unspoken Narrative of Swansea’s Spain Camp

Swansea City’s pre-season trip to the Pinatar Arena in Spain is in full swing, a crucial phase for Alan Sheehan and his team to lay the groundwork for the 2025-26 Championship season. The squad list for the training camp offers a fascinating insight into Sheehan’s initial plans, highlighting new arrivals and established figures alike. Yet, amidst the bustle of new faces and the familiar presence of core players, it is arguably the notable absence of one individual – Jerry Yates – that has sparked the most conversation and speculation among the Swansea faithful.

The travelling contingent features a mix of the old and new. Recent signings like Cameron Burgess, Ricardo Santos, Ethan Galbraith, Zeidane Inoussa, and Bobby Wales are present, signifying their integral roles in Sheehan’s refreshed vision for the club. Their inclusion points towards an immediate integration into the squad, suggesting they are earmarked for key contributions in the upcoming campaign. Players who were mainstays last season, such as Josh Key, Jay Fulton, and Ben Cabango, also join the group, providing a backbone of experience and continuity. Promising talents like Melker Widell, Goncalo Franco, and Joel Cotterill will be looking to impress and earn more regular first-team opportunities. This collective presence paints a picture of a cohesive unit eager to develop under new leadership.

However, the football world is often defined as much by who isn’t there as by who is. Jerry Yates’s absence from the Spain squad is a glaring one, particularly given his recent return from a loan spell at Derby County. Having spent the entire 2024-25 season with the Rams, where he scored 10 goals in 42 league appearances, Yates is now back at Swansea. Yet, his immediate exclusion from the pre-season trip to Spain sends a clear message.

Yates originally joined Swansea in 2023 from Blackpool, signing a three-year deal that runs until the summer of 2026.  This means he has just one year remaining on his current contract. When a player with such a limited time left on their deal is omitted from a crucial pre-season training camp, it invariably points towards an imminent departure. Swansea City are understood to be actively looking to move Yates on, deeming him surplus to requirements under Alan Sheehan. This sentiment is further reinforced by reports of interest from Blackpool, his former club, with their manager, Steve Bruce, reportedly admitting his interest in the striker.

For Yates, this situation presents a pivotal moment in his career. His first full season at Swansea in 2023-24 saw him score eight league goals in 43 appearances, a return that, for some, didn’t fully justify his signing. His subsequent loan to Derby County was a chance to rediscover his form and provide evidence of his capabilities, which he largely did with his 10 goals. Now, returning to a club where he seemingly isn’t in the manager’s plans, the future looks set to be away from the Swansea.com Stadium.

A move back to Blackpool could be highly appealing for Yates. He enjoyed a prolific spell at Bloomfield Road between 2020 and 2023, netting 42 goals in 123 league matches, including a 20-goal season that helped them to promotion. A return to familiar surroundings and a club where he was a firm fan favourite could reignite his career and provide the consistent game time he needs. The reported interest from other Championship clubs, including Sheffield Wednesday, also suggests there are options for him at this level. The key for all parties will be agreeing on a fee, with reports suggesting Swansea might be looking for around a million pounds for his services.

The decision to exclude Yates, and similarly, the recent confirmed departure of Nathan Tjoe-A-On by mutual consent, highlights Swansea’s clear strategy to streamline the squad and remove players not seen as part of the long-term project. Pre-season camps are not just about physical preparation; they are about fostering team spirit and tactical understanding. A player’s absence from such a critical period almost always indicates that their future lies elsewhere, allowing the club to focus on those who will be integral to the upcoming campaign.

While the inclusion of new signings rightly garners attention, the narrative surrounding Jerry Yates’s absence underscores the colder, calculated realities of football squad management. For him, it’s a clear signal to seek new pastures, and for Swansea, it’s a necessary step in shaping a squad aligned with Alan Sheehan’s vision for the challenges of the Championship. The quiet absence often speaks louder than the most vocal presence.