The season has only just begun but Michael Duff has another headache on his hands as he told the media that Olivier Ntcham requested not to play against Birmingham City today.<\/p>\n
The midfielder has a year left to run on his three year contract and was heavily linked with a move to Samsunspor last week with media reports in Turkey suggesting a medical was planned for Wednesday<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n Nothing further materialised on that front although one would imagine that Ntcham has played his last game for the club after this evening’s developments.<\/p>\n Duff admitted that the Cameroon International was in the team yesterday but had a phone call last night saying Ntcham didn’t want to play in the game. Jamie Paterson then took his place.<\/p>\n The Swans arguably missed his energy and creativity behind the frontmen as they eked out a draw from the opening day game against Birmingham City; Jerry Yates equalising after Siriki Dembele opened the scoring for the Blues.<\/p>\n Swansea boss Michael Duff on Olivier Ntcham: "Olivier was in the team yesterday morning and we got a phone call last night saying he didn't want to play. The players didn't know until 1:20 this afternoon. He didn't want to play. It's disappointing but that's football." #Swans<\/a><\/p>\n — Ian Mitchelmore (@IanMitchelmore) August 5, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n