SPORT Clement CLEVERLY CALLS IT QUITS hopeful Llorente will stay
Paul Clement has again stated his confidence over Fernando Llorente’s Swansea City future – but admits he’d be naive to rule out any late transfer drama at the Liberty.
Llorente has long been linked with a move to Chelsea with the striker’s former Juventus boss Antonio Conte having first made moves for the forward in January.
And talk of the Spanish World Cup winner heading to Stamford Bridge has re-started in recent days ahead of Thursday’s transfer deadline day.
Clement had previously stated he’d had reassurances from the 32-year-old that he would not be leaving South Wales.
And he retains that confidence, though knows that the final few days of the window could yet spring surprises.
Clement has already seen Gylfi Sigurdsson move on in a £45million exit and wants to add to the arrival of £15million Sam Clucas.
But he said: “I’m confident of keeping Fernando and I see no reason why I shouldn’t be.
“But at the same time, I also understand how the window works and all of a sudden something can come out of absolutely nowhere. But most importantly, we won’t do anything unless it’s the right thing for the club. That includes both in and out.”
Clement wants two new faces before the window closes, with a creative option a priority having been in talks over a move for West Brom’s Nacer Chadli.
“I would like a creative player in, someone who will create and score goals,” Clement confirmed after Saturday’s 2-0 win over Crystal Palace.
“Clearly if you lose a player of Gylfi’s quality, you’re missing some goals in your team.
“But, there’s two things: one, the players you’ve got – and I include Tammy in that – have to step up, and I feel they’ve done that this week, and they have to continue to work and improve.
“But, two, as a coach I want different options, whether it’s coming off the bench, or starting games.
“So yes, we will really try and do something in those offensive positions.”
Swans storm Palace: See Sport Wales WELSH boxer Nathan Cleverly has announced his retirement from boxing just hours after losing his world title.
Cleverly was stopped in the fifth round of his WBA light-heavyweight defence against Badou Jack in Las Vegas ahead of the Floyd Mayweather v Conor McGregor bout.
The 30-year-old was dominated from the opening round and took a series of heavy blows before the referee stepped in to end the contest.
It was Cleverly’s fourth career defeat, coming 10 months after he had won his WBA title with victory over Juergen Braehmer in October Joe Calzaghe.
He claimed Commonwealth and European titles before winning the interim WBO world light-weight title in 2010. The full title became his in 2011, but, after four successful defences, he was destroyed by Sergey Kovalev in 2013.
A move to cruiserweight followed but a defeat against Tony Bellew, who he had previously beaten, rocked him.
He regained his light-heavyweight title against Braehmer in 2016 but has now called time on his career following the events of Saturday night.