Grimes is ‘buzzing’ as he’s handed captaincy
MATT Grimes has been named as Swansea City’s captain for the 2019/20 season. Wayne Routledge, Nathan Dyer and Grimes himself all had the armband during various stages of Swansea’s pre-season schedule.
But just days before their Championship opener with Hull City, the club confirmed that Grimes would skipper Steve Cooper’s troops in the manager’s debut season at the Liberty Stadium.
Speaking to the club’s official website about taking the captaincy duties, last year’s Player of the Season said: “I am buzzing. It came as a bit of a surprise, to be honest, but I am more than happy to take on the responsibilities and be more of a leader on and off the pitch.
“I am massively honoured. To be captain of any club is a big deal, but to be captain of a club like Swansea City really is a privilege and an honour.
“The gaffer had spoken to me over the course of pre-season saying he wanted me to be more of a leader this year but I never once thought he would make me captain.
“It was nice to be captain in the Exeter game and again against Atalanta, but it is one of those things you do not expect to happen until it finally does.”
And having been given the honour of captaining Swansea next term, Grimes admits he’s desperate to build on his efforts from the 2018/19 campaign.
“I think with any younger players at the club, or in the academy, if you are captain of Swansea City you need to be able to show how you should be, how you should be living your life on and off the pitch,” he added.
“If I can create that kind of persona, which I hope I do already, and people look at me and think I lead by example then I am more than happy to do that and work on the talking as well.”