With the 2015/16 English Premier League season a matter of weeks away, Richard Jolly provides his thoughts on each of the 20 teams and predicts their final league finish. Here he looks at Swansea City.
If Swansea’s heads hurt, it may be because they are banging them against a glass ceiling. It will be hard for Garry Monk’s side to improve upon their eighth-place finish.
The sole criticism last season may be that too many points escaped their grasp because of the concession of late goals.
Yet their strong finish was all the more laudable after the January sale of top scorer Wilfried Bony.
Swansea have long had a deserved reputation for transfer-market prowess and they are likely to maintain it.
Monk has bolstered his forward line with the additions of Portugal international Eder and the Ghanaian Andre Ayew.
A former centre-back has also prioritised adding solidity at the back so the French left-back Franck Tabanou represents another pertinent signing.
The rookie manager has shown he has the toughness to phase out former teammates, whether Leon Britton or Angel Rangel, so perhaps Neil Taylor will be next, and Monk has flourished so far at allying Swansea’s trademark silk with more style.
Jonjo Shelvey offers both and his new contract is a sign of Monk’s long-term planning. But if he is to surpass his achievements last season, he may have to look to the cup competitions.
Key Man: Gylfi Sigurdsson — Only Cesc Fabregas and Santi Cazorla recorded more assists last season. Sigurdsson made Bony a more potent force. Now the Icelander's task is to establish a similar relationship with Ayew or Eder.
Pivotal Signing: Andre Ayew — Swansea have tended to benefit from pace and skill in wide positions. Ayew offers both as well as the probability of more goals than Nathan Dyer or Wayne Routledge offer. Getting him on a free transfer (from Marseille) looks a great bit of business.
Crucial Factor: The big games. Monk felt Michael Laudrup's team were too timid against the top teams. His side changed that by beating both Arsenal and Manchester United home and away. Such landmark wins are a huge boost to morale.
Prediction: 9th
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