Grimes is the pass master... but it may be worry for Swans
AT precisely 9:21pm on Monday, August 10, Swansea City fans made their feelings known.
“We want you to stay, Matty Grimes, we want you to stay,” they chanted from the away end of Reading’s gloriously named Select Car Leasing Stadium.
The captain had just been replaced by Ryan Manning as the Swans went on to secure a convincing 3-0 triumph over an admittedly weakened Royals side in the first round of the Carabao Cup.
Russell Martin’s men absorbed every ounce of adulation that came their way from the Jack Army who once again urged Grimes to remain at the club following the conclusion of the contest in Berkshire.
Joel Latibeaudiere and Kyle Joseph rallied the away supporters as they belted out Grimes’ name, and Martin himself wasted no time in showing his own affections for the skipper.
“I joined in,” he said when asked about the chants aimed at the central midfielder.
Having missed out on a move to Fulham in the transfer window, Grimes has flourished under the new regime.
Now in the final year of his contract, Swansea find themselves in the precarious position of having to decide whether to sell the 26-yearold for a small fee in January or lose him for nothing next summer if they can’t extend his contract.
But there are plenty of reasons why the club should be doing all in their power to keep hold of the man who moved to south Wales from Exeter City in 2015.
He plays an average of 84.93 passes per game, the highest tally of any Swansea player. His accuracy of 90% is bettered only by Flynn Downes and Kyle Naughton who operate in deeper roles and generally have additional security.
His average of 8.68 successful passes into the final third is way ahead of next best challengers Ryan Manning (5.90) and Olivier Ntcham (5.03) while he makes, on average, the most passes-per-game into the opposition half (39.46) of any Swans player.
Grimes’ numbers stack up incredibly well when compared with other Championship players.
When looking at midfielders throughout the second tier, Grimes tops the charts for the average number of passes, forward passes, successful passes into the final third and passes into the opposition half.
Only team-mate Downes and Fulham’s Jean Michael Seri boast a higher passing accuracy from Championship midfielders than that of Grimes.
He even tops the pile for most passes when comparing with Premier League midfielders. Manchester United’s Paul Pogba –who averages 79.76 passes per game in the top flight – is his nearest challenger.
He also features in the top 10 of all Championship midfielders for passing accuracy when under pressure, through balls and clearances. His availability is remarkable in itself.
Grimes played every single league minute of the 2019/20 campaign while he is the only man to feature in every Championship minute so far under Martin.
Of the 160 Championship fixtures (including play-offs) Swansea have played since being relegated from the Premier League in 2018, Grimes has featured in 158.
It all points to two vital traits. Quality and consistency.
Grimes is tailor made for Martin’s style, and the 26-year-old is thriving as a result.
“Let’s talk about his performances. Incredible. I think he’s got the most passes in Britain and Europe, most accurate passes, the most forward passes,” head coach Martin told the Western Mail.
“There’s a myth sometimes in that role that because a lot of the passes are to keep the team ticking over and to help the rhythm of the team that a lot of the passes aren’t forward, but his are aggressive.
“He is someone who is so appreciated by his teammates on the pitch for what he does.
“Defensively he is incredible. People often don’t see that. The amount of interceptions and challenges he makes. One v one, he’s one of the best we’ve got in terms of winning duels and defending and that’s just a bonus given what he does with the ball.
“He understands brilliantly what we want. He helps other players be better. Jamie Paterson acknowledged it recently.
“Ryan Manning says the same, Flynn Downes will tell you he’s one of the best players he’s played with because of his understanding.
“He’s so important to us and I hope we are giving him a platform to be the best version of himself. He really suits us and what we want, on and off the pitch.
“The fact that Coventry manmarked him, one of their best players, tells you everything you need to know about the impact Grimesy has on performances.
“And then there’s all the off the field stuff.
“He’s a brilliant human being, he really cares about how this club is portrayed by other people, how the club conducts itself and how the players conduct themselves – with class and humility.
“He’s just a brilliant leader. He’s not a shouter, but when he talks, people listen.”
And then came the emphatic verdict.
“It’s really important we do everything we can to keep him,” concluded Martin.