YAN’S SO HUNGRY TO BE THE MAN
Midfielder relishes his Swansea chances...
PATIENCE is a virtue and no player knows more about that than Swansea’s Yan Dhanda this season.
The precocious attacking midfielder has been in and out of Steve Cooper’s side in recent weeks, struggling for a consistent run of matches in a team with lofty ambitions.
Dhanda’s appearance in the 3-1 victory against Middlesbrough two weeks ago represented his first start since the end of October, a frustrating spell for the Liverpool Academy-raised player but one that fittingly came to an end on his 21st birthday.
“I’d just been waiting to get back in the side and as soon as I did, we won, so I’m happy with that,” he said.
“Steve has been great to work under – he’s given me opportunities, and when there were times when I wasn’t playing, I just had to work hard and get myself back in the team.
Opportunities
“Every game we play our style of football regardless of who we’re playing against. We started really well and then had a slight dip, but if you look at the table we’re not far off the play-offs.
“Ever since pre-season we’ve done the same – building our style and playing a specific way, and I think when we play our game we can beat anybody.
“When people think of Swansea, they think of us as quite a good footballing team, and we have to try and dominate possession and create as many chances as we can.
“There’s a lot of repetition and we all know each other’s roles, and I think that’s been shown this season.”
Dhanda burst onto the scene as a fresh-faced 19-yearold last season, scoring with his first touch off the bench against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane to clinch a memorable 2-1 win.
The dynamic midfielder is also one of just 12 British Asian professional footballers in the country, being an outspoken critic of their under-representation in the game away from the pitch.
And as he rallies for more British Asian players to feature in the EFL – he is an ambassador for the FA’s Bringing Opportunities to Communities strategy – Dhanda believes it’s not a case of that demographic having a lesser interest in football.
“There is a problem – whoever is looking at picking up these players needs to give everyone the same, equal opportunity,” he added.
“With the right coaching anyone can become a good player, so right from the grassroots level, kids should be picked up and given the opportunity no matter what race they are.
“I know many British Asians who are playing football that are just not getting the recognition other people are, so it’s not down to Asians not playing football, although that is a small factor.
Recognition
“If I’m in a position to help and speak up for people then I’ll do so, because I’m quite passionate about it and it needs to change.
“Hopefully over the next few years you’ll start to see more players coming through.”
As for Birmingham-born Dhanda, he’s keen to keep making his mark on the game. A couple of days before Christmas, he signed a twoyear contract extension with Swansea, taking him through to the summer of 2022.
His previous deal had been due to expire at the end of this season.
“It’s the perfect Christmas present for me, it’s just what I wanted and it’s a real boost,” said the former England U17 international. “We have been talking about it for a little while, and the goal has to be for me to push on from here.
“I’m happy at Swansea and I’m enjoying my football, so this is where I want to be.”