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All The Youngsters Can Learn From Leon

Leon Britton and Swansea City go back a long time, it was 2002 when they first joined forces and, bar a short spell at Sheffield United, they have been together ever since.

That position though has been speculated as ready to change this summer with a move to America and MLS in the offing and, as we first told you here, Orlando City are keen to make a move for Leon.

However, there does seem a reluctance on both parties to actually end their relationship with the Swans definitely not keen to push Leon out of the club and, despite his desire for first team football, Leon not overly keen to make the move either.

It is a commendable view of Leons that he does not want to sit around picking up his wages and not playing football but it does seem that there could be a part for him to play at Swansea and that may be at the very back of his mind when he is deciding on his options.

It would not take a huge injury list for Leon to be back in the fold and that is something that the player has already referred to this summer as he considers his options.

And of course there is the value of the experience that an 'old hand' like Leon brings and that is something certainly that Garry Monk is aware of especially with the likes of Jay Fulton and Matt Grimes in his squad. That in itself could be a factor in what the final decision brings when the next 12 months in Leon's career becomes clear.

"Leon’s here and I want him to be here,” said the Swans boss.

"It’s good for people like Jay (Fulton) to have Leon around because he’s the one they will learn off.

"But I have said all along it’s his choice. It’s about him accepting the position where he is in the squad, which I remember having to do myself.

"It’s whether he wants that or he wants to try to play 30 games somewhere else.

"I am not going to stand in his way if he wants that.

"He’s happy and I was happy to see him back in a Swansea shirt but it will be decided by Leon.

"I’m planning for him being here.

"We have a good relationship and if the situation changes I’ll know in plenty of time to plan.

"Playing in this squad is difficult because we have good midfielders and with Leon we have seven midfielders when ideally you want six.

"How I juggle that we’ll see, but I’m open and honest with them so they all know where they stand. At the same time things can change very quickly.”

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