Swans ready to box clever in the search for top transfer targets
IT’S now full steam ahead as far as Swansea City’s transfer plans are concerned.
The Swans have identified numerous targets to bolster their squad ahead of Russell Martin’s second season at the club, although there will be plenty of exits from the Swansea.com Stadium in the near future too. It’s no secret that the Swans want and need to add to their defence.
Swansea used a significant amount of defensive combinations last season, with Covid-19 cases, injuries and form all forcing Martin into changes during various stages when it came to his back three and wing-backs. But it’s in the two boxes where Swansea need to significantly improve next term.
Swansea won an average of 10 aerial duels per game in Championship games last season, which is by some distance the lowest tally of any side in the division. For context, the next lowest was Fulham with 15.6 per game while Millwall were the highest with 28.5 per game in the league.
The reality is, that’s exactly what Martin wants given his philosophies, with Swansea topping the charts for possession and pass accuracy. Their style led to a magnificent haul of 53 open play goals, with only promoted duo Fulham and Bournemouth managing more.
But the glaring concern comes when the spotlight is shone on their efforts from set plays, from which Swansea scored just twice in 46 Championship matches during the 2021/22 season, comfortably the lowest in the second tier.
On the flip side, they shipped 10 goals from set-pieces.
Such were their struggles from freekicks and corners, coaches devised an array of elaborate set-piece routines to help Swansea threaten with the ball at their feet rather than aerially due to the lack of height and physicality in their squad. Some led to decent openings, as was the case when Ben Cabango rifled home against Cardiff City.
But some were quite simply horrific to watch, with one corner taken by Liam Walsh in the Carabao Cup loss at Brighton in September springing to mind.
The emphasis on developing Cabango’s talents with the ball at his feet has been huge since Martin’s arrival given that he already possesses the strength and height to dominate aerially. Although it’s fair to say, particularly with Ryan Bennett deemed surplus to requirements,
there aren’t any others with the Welshman’s physical stature at the back, or in the squad altogether, at present.
Key traits must include an ability to play out from the back, athleticism, composure on the ball plus height and physicality to be effective in both boxes. It sounds like a lot to demand from a defender, but the reality is, that’s exactly what Swansea need in the current system and to make themselves more effective in the opposition box next season.
Anchorman Kyle Naughton has already signed a one-year contract extension, but with a bit more stardust either side of him, the Swans’ back three could be menacing next term. It could also go a long way to easing the load on goalkeeper Andy Fisher.
Under the current coaching regime, stunning team goals such as Jake Bidwell’s
against Peterborough United, Michael Obafemi’s at Cardiff City and the striker’s effort at Reading will always be desired, and crucially, possible.
But an addition or two with the aforementioned qualities at the back could make those previously frustrating corner and free-kick routines far more fruitful, which in turn will do wonders for the Swans’ position in the league table.