Planning for the future under Francesco Guidolin
Wednesday, 10th Feb 2016 20:43 by Conrad Thomas

At the start of the 2015/16 season Garry Monk had received rave reviews from many top football pundits for the amount of success he had achieved from the previous season whilst taking Swansea City to record finish of 8th position.

But after a run of defeats in succession, four months into the season, Swansea’s promising young manager found himself victim of the dreaded axe. With an estimated £100 million reward for staying in the Premier League this season, Chairman Huw Jenkins decided that the decision had to be made in the interest of the future of Swansea city and Alan Curtis was named as Caretaker boss.

Curtis made an immediate impact with the team as the Swans were very unlucky not to earn a deserved point at the Etihad but for a last gasp winner from Kelechi Iheanacho. Swansea continued with gritty performances under Curtis and were unlucky not to win against West Ham and Crystal Palace but ground out 0-0 draws. Curtis got his only victory with a 1-0 win at the Liberty against West Brom but then an away defeat at lowly Manchester United and a shocking Fa cup exit at League 2 Oxford had Huw Jenkins needing to refer to his plan B.

On January 18th 2016 Francesco Guidolin was named as Swansea City head coach.
In Guidolin’s first match, he had the difficult task of taking the Swans to Goodison Park to face Everton, a ground that the Swans had previously never won. With the odds stacked against a victory for Guidolin and the Swans, history was made with a fantastic 2-1 victory with Gylfi Sigurdsson netting a 17th minute penalty and Andre Ayew putting us ahead after an own goal by Jack Cork.

The Swans continued with their good form and were again unlucky not to beat West Brom at the Hawthorns (1-1) and the same result at home to goal shy Crystal Palace. Its Southampton up next at the Liberty for the Swans and Guidolin, who themselves have hit some good form of late and this match promises to be a battle of two teams moving up the table in the right direction.

With the new addition of Alberto Paloschi, PLANETSWANS’ look in to the types of players that could potentially be of interest to our new gaffer Francesco Guidolin in the summer:

SIMONE SCUFFET (Goalkeeper)
Current Club: Udinese- on loan at Como.
Age:19
Regarded as one of Europes top young goalkeepers, Scuffet was given his professional debut by Guidolin. His current contract expires in June 2016 with Guidolin certain to explore this option to give current number one Lukasz Fabianski some tough competition for the goalkeeper jersey.

MAURICIO ISLA (Right wing back)
Current Club: Juventus- on loan at Marseille.
Age:27
This versatile Chile international can play in numerous positions including Midfield. Another member of Guidolin’s successful Udinese team that has until June 2016 to renew his contract with Juventus. Isla has Premier League experience as he was on loan at Queens Park Rangers for the 2014-15 season.

LUCA ANTONELLI (Left back)
Current club: AC Milan
Age:28
A firm favourite of Guidolin in their days at Parma. Antonelli has 10 caps for Italy and could prove to be healthy competition for Neil Taylor. Huw Jenkins might have to exceed his valuation though as Antonelli is contracted to Milan until June 2018.

CRISTIAN ZAPATA (Centre back)
Current club: AC Milan
Age:29
Experienced Colombian Zapata was with Guidolin at Udinese before a big money move to Villarreal in 2011. Lack of first team opportunities with Milan this season could see Guidolin persuade Zapata to head for South Wales with his current contract due to expire in the summer.

TOM CARROLL (Centre Midfield)
Current club: Tottenham Hotspur
Age:23
With Tottenham pursuing a first league title in 55 years, success will ultimately bring extra funds for better players which could mean the end for former Swans loanee Tom Carroll. Having had a good stint with us in 2014-15 and out of contract in June, could he be the man to lead our Midfield long term?

PIOTR ZIELINSKI (Centre Midfield)
Current club: Udinese- on loan at Empoli
Age:21
Given his senior debut by Guidolin in 2012, Polish starlet Zielinski has represented his country at all levels including 10 full caps. Could Guidolin rekindle his relationship with Zielinski and bring him to the Liberty when his current deal runs out in June?

KWADWO ASAMOAH (Left wing)
Current club: Juventus
Age:27
Asamoah flourished under Guidolin whilst at Udinese and has 66 full caps for Ghana. A friend of Andre Ayew that could be tempted away from “The old lady” due to a lack of match action. However, Huw Jenkins would have to reach an eight figured sum to coax Juventus to part with him. If Guidolin decides to sell Jefferson Montero then this option would become more realistic.

FABIO BORINI (Striker)
Current club: Sunderland
Age:24
If Sunderland remain in the bottom three in May then inevitably players will leave. Already having played a key role in getting the Swans promoted to the Premier League whilst on loan from Chelsea in 2011, Borini could well form an Italian connection with Guidolin which could see him make a return to the Liberty Stadium.