HOW HAVE SWANSEA COPED WITH THE LOSS OF STAR ATTRACTIONS?
IT is a sight Swansea City fans have had to become accustomed to over the years, not that it has become any easier.
But the departure of Gylfi Sigurdsson to Everton, for the highest fee Swansea have ever commanded for a player, is not the first time a key player has left the Liberty for a big fee.
Ultimately, the biggest challenge lies ahead.
Commanding such a large fee for a player signed in a swap deal three years ago speaks to how Sigurdsson has performed and developed during his second spell in South Wales.
Replacing him will be vitally important, and incredibly difficult.
Here, we look at how Swansea have fared in filling the void left by previous departures of key players. through for £25million in January 2015.
Swansea had seen it coming, and their move for French international Gomis represented mid to long-term planning for life without Bony.
Having been given his chance once his striking rival left, Gomis had a fine end to the season, and kicked off the following campaign in a similar vein.
But he never felt a particularly settled part of the set-up as he agitated for a move away from the Liberty. His form fell away and was soon surplus to requirements. Andre Ayew, another free transfer arrival, was asked to fill in up front at times without looking comfortable, while Alberto Paloschi could not make his mark either.
Indeed, it would take until Fernando Llorente’s arrival for Swansea to come anywhere near replacing Bony. writing was on the wall and he eventually joined City on deadline day for £6.8m.
The same day Swansea brought in Pablo Hernandez to replace the winger. The Spain international took a little while to settle but soon showed his quality and combined to superb effect with Nathan Dyer and Wayne Routledge when Laudrup opted to field all three wingers as free-roaming attackers behind Michu.
Injuries would disrupt Hernandez’s time in SA1, but his ability was not in doubt and Garry Monk had wanted him to stay and play as a number 10, only for the former Valencia man to opt for the cash available in Qatar. Joe Allen – Sold to Liverpool, replaced by Ki Sung-yueng Celtic man had an impressive first season but was never a favourite of Laudrup’s and went out on loan to Sunderland, where he excelled during the 2013-14 season.
Restored to the Swans fold by Monk, he was brilliant during the run to an eighth-place finish. He has not hit those heights since and faces a real battle for first-team involvement this term, particularly after missing the start of the season due to a knee injury. Ashley Williams – Sold to Everton, replaced by Alfie Mawson This was a move that rocked Swans’ fans last summer, with skipper and club stalwart Williams leaving for Everton in a £12million deal.
Shortly afterwards, the club brought in Alfie Mawson from Barnsley for £5million. He was not seen as a ready-made replacement for Williams, but by the end of the season Mawson had firmly established himself in the Swans side and the affections of supporters.
Mawson still has work to do to replace