We’ll help Sanches, not send him back

RENATO Sanches will not be leaving Swansea City to return to Bayern Munich before his loan spell is up, despite the Portugal international’s disappointing start to life in SA1.

The 20-year-old joined on a season-long loan from the German giants during the final days of the summer transfer window, and the arrival of a player who starred in Portugal’s Euro 2016 triumph was heralded as a major coup for Paul Clement and the Swans.

However, the midfielder has struggled for form, fitness and confidence since his arrival and was withdrawn at half-time during the midweek defeat at Chelsea after a wretched opening 45 minutes.

It was an evening which reached its nadir when Sanches sent one misplaced pass rolling harmlessly into touch with no team-mate anywhere near the direction of the ball.

Clement – who worked with Sanches at Bayern before being appointed Swansea boss in January – has repeatedly defended the player, while acknowledging his struggles.

But the Swans head coach – who revealed two Bayern representatives were at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night – insists there has been no suggestion of cutting short the move and says Sanches will be at the Liberty for the duration.

“No, we are working together to make this right for both sides, for them and for us as well,” said Clement when asked if there was any prospect of Sanches heading back to Bavaria in January.

“There were two representatives from Bayern Munich at the game.

“I am in regular contact with them about how he is doing and they very much want to support him and that was the message I received this morning.

“We can see he is struggling, it is very important for us and a big responsibility for us and them to support and help him.”

And Clement believes he is ideally placed to make sure Swansea to eventually see the best of the former Benfica star, due to his years of experience developing young talent.

“I have a lot of experience working with young players and that is one of the reasons why I wanted to bring Renato and Tammy Abraham to this football club,” he added.