Potter looking to summer but big spending unlikely
SWANSEA City boss Graham Potter says the club are already making plans for the summer transfer window, but admits they are once again unlikely to splash the cash.
Potter has seen his squad substantially weakened by two desperately disappointing transfer windows, the latter of which ultimately culminated in the departure of chairman Huw Jenkins.
Despite the lack of developments, the search for Jenkins’ successor has begun, but the club seem happy to take their time in appointing a successor.
Jenkins’ absence has seen the club’s head of recruitment Kyle Macauley handed a greater role in terms of the day-to-day running of the club and, crucially, how it conducts its transfer business.
“The chairman before had such a big role at the club,” Potter said.
“His influence was huge, so it’s only right that as soon as he leaves everybody has to step up a little bit.
“I don’t think that’s something we need to rush into, it needs to be right and it needs to be done in a good way that uses the resources we have at Swansea City.”
Sources had previously indicated to WalesOnline that Potter himself may well be consulted for his opinion on the potential successor, a suggestion that Potter has seemingly played down.
However, he admits that he is in constant conversation with the club’s American owners about the ongoing developments.
“I don’t think we’ll necessarily have a say. I think it’s above my level. But at the same time, I have regular discussions with Steve and Jason.
“They keep me in the loop about how they think but ultimately that’s a bigger level than mine.”
But while it seems he may not receive too much say on who replaces Jenkins, Potter says he’s already held discussions with Macauley about plans for the summer transfer window, although he admits the policies of the owners are never too far away from the periphery.
“We’re in constant talks [me and Kyle],” he added.
“It’s probably going to be a flexible situation that we’ll have to adapt to and understand because there are still some financial things we need to clear up in the summer, so we have to have a few plans in place and be prepared to adapt to what is not a straightforward situation.
“That’s the job and that’s the challenge.
“I think we’re on something of a linear line if you like and he [Kyle] sort of looks at the situation we have internally and looks at the current group, looks at the possibilities outside and we have the conversation about what we think is the right thing to do going forward.”
But while they may well get a greater say in the club’s recruitment policy, Potter admits the club’s financial position is likely to have an impact.
The Swans are currently nine points adrift of the play-off positions heading into their clash with cashstrapped Bolton, a club Potter believes should act as a warning to sides about the importance of balancing the books.
Another season in the Championship is a distinctly strong possibility for Potter’s men, and he doesn’t believe the club will be prepared to spend big on what could ultimately prove to be an unsuccessful promotion push.
He continued: “I think that the Championship is perhaps littered with examples where the financial side of things hasn’t been done as well as it probably can but we just have to look at ourselves and maintain the idea of being a responsible football club that’s able to be here.
“You don’t want to be in a position where you’re threatened with not existing any more.
“Everybody should have that responsibility, but when the prize is so big, the Premier League and the implications that it has, you can see how it’s easy to get distracted from that.
“But the reality of it is that we have to be a responsible club and aware of our position in the community here.