FED: PUMP UP VOLUME TO REPLACE LEADER ASH
SUNDAY MIRROR
FEDERICO FERNANDEZ insists Swansea City can fill the void left by Ashley Williams’ exit – provided they turn up the volume.
Argentina defender Fernandez admits the Swans go into today’s match at Southampton still trying to plug the chasm caused when their former skipper left to join Everton last month.
Fernandez (above) said: “Ashley was our captain and our leader, so he was always going to be a big loss.
“He would always be the one talking on the pitch and organising everyone.
“Now he is gone, we have to talk more to each other. We have to become the new leaders.”
Since Williams went to Goodison for £12million, Fernandez, 27, has been partnered with Spaniard Jordi Amat, 24, but the pair have yet to develop the kind of understanding Fernandez had with the Wales skipper.
“It is tough when you lose a big player, like Ashley,” added Fernandez.
“But I have played before with Jordi and we will get that understanding if we play more together. It comes with time and matches. All of the defenders have to take more responsibility now – and if we do that I am sure we can have a strong defence.
“The club has been through many changes this summer and it always takes a little time for players to get used to new things. But people are wrong to think we will not cope.”
Swansea’s defensive problems were highlighted against Chelsea, when manager Francesco Guidolin tried a five-man unit, only to then abandon it after 42 minutes, and haul off an irate Neil Taylor in the reshuffle.
Guidolin has since insisted there is no rift between himself and the Wales defender, although Scottish youngster Stephen Kingsley is more likely to take the left-back spot against the Saints.
“Neil is an excellent player and he can play in any system as he has shown with Wales,” said Fernandez.
“I watched him in the Euros, and Ashley as well. They were both very impressive in that tournament and I texted them my congratulations after every game.”
Guidolin has bought two other centre-backs – Mike van der Hoorn, 23, from Ajax and 22-year-old Alfie Mawson from Barnsley – but neither has yet made a Premier League outing.