Trystan Bending joins the team and for his first offering it’s an extensive and well researched review of the summer and Swansea City’s progress in the transfer market. Welcome Trystan to the Indy team.
A detailed analysis of Swansea’s summer 2023 arrivals.
The club has certainly been revolutionised under new chairman Andy Coleman and new sporting director Paul Watson. The pair have made it clear that their ambition is to get the club back to where it belongs, and it’s fair to say that with the latest arrivals, Swansea fans should be inspired.
A new era began under Michael Duff, following the mess of Russel Martin’s early departure. Duff lost out on the chance of promotion with Barnsley FC last year following a narrow defeat in the playoff final. To understand the new additions to the squad me must understand how Duff intends to set up this season, as well as his philosophy. Firstly, we understand that Duff is keen to set up with a 5-3-2 formation, transitioning in to almost a 3-5-2 at times when on the attack with the wingbacks playing further upfield. Duff's philosophy includes working hard, being patient on and off the ball, whilst also having the ability to be explosive and intense on the counterattack. Duff motivates his centre halves and goalkeeper to express their ball playing abilities, whilst coping under pressure. He plays with a holding midfielder supported by two old fashioned number 8’s, the more attacking of the two sometimes drifting into a number 10 position. Ideally, he likes to have a tall, physical number 9 who can partner with a hard-working striker beside him.
Josh Ginnelly
Josh Ginnelly was Michael Duff’s first signing, a deal that would work in Swansea’s favour as he arrived on a free transfer. The 26-year-old put pen to paper on a 3-year contract seeing him at SA1 until 2026, departing Hearts after 2 years with the club.
Ginnelly scored 22 goals in his two years at Hearts, 13 of which came from the last season. He also managed 6 assists, equating to 19 goal involvements for the 22/23 season. He is a player who previously has shown he has the ability to score some wonderful goals, which can easily take your breath away. The Jack Army have already been treated to a magnificent goal, which came late on against Northampton in the EFL cup. Despite playing on the wing at Hearts last year it is evident Duff will attempt to use him as a striker.
He’s a player with a variety of attributes including his ability to hold the ball up, ability to draw fouls, run with the ball, and he’s a player who certainly has a good eye for goal. With the departure of Ntcham, Ginelly may be the man to spark a few magical moments of creativity for the Swans. However, it is no secret the forward has a bad relationship with injures. He has picked up several different injures since 20/21 and missed out on the pre-season following a hamstring injury. Ginnelly will need to find his fitness again.
Josh key
Following the struggles in the wing back position last year and the departure of Lati, it was clear to Duff which position in the squad needed strengthening arguably the most. The right back signed a 3-year deal to take him to 2026 with the option of an additional 12-month contract through to 2027. The 23-year-old departs Exeter City after 9 years in the setup and first team. A compensation fee was paid to Exeter due to the player being under 24 years of age but nevertheless this was another great bit of business as he arrived on a free.
Key joins after playing a huge part in promoting his boyhood club Exeter in to league 1 in the 21/22 season and becoming an integral part of the team. He has played 154 games in the EFL, contributing an impressive 8 goals and 13 assists in that time. He’s a player who favours the right wing back position but is capable of playing in a few different positions. He has played in central midfield, as well as operating on the left side in Exeter’s past squads. Unfortunately for Key he has started his first few games on the left hand side of the Swansea defence with Duff failing to bring a left wing back in.
Swansea fans have been very impressed by the 23 year old. He has adapted very well to Duff’s system, playing out of position, and has continued to show the Jacks what he’s all about. It’s easy to see how quickly the player can transition from defence to attack, with his quick burst of pace being valuable at either end of the pitch. A player who likes to take a man on, and look to get a cross into the box.
Jerry Yates
Jerry made the switch to Swansea following a relegation with his former team Blackpool, who find themselves in League 1. The 26 year old joined the Swans on a fee worth around £2.5 million, with the added asset of Kyle Joseph being exchanged in a swap deal, to bring him in. He signed a 3 year deal with an option for an additional 12 months.
Yates was part of a Blackpool team which suffered under Michael Appleton, only managing to score 48 goals in the championship campaign. Despite this Yates managed to convert 15 goals for the 22/23 season scoring 31% of the Tangerine’s goals. His xG under Appleton was (12.72xG) which deserves some recognition as he bettered this. During his 3 years at Blackpool he scored 46 goals in 139 games, as well as contributing 18 assists.
With a good reputation in the competition, Swansea fans can be excited about this signing. Blackpool wrote a departing message "Jerry Yates has been a fantasic player since his joined us back in 2020. His contribution on the pitch over the past three hears has been exceptional, with his hard work and entertaining style epitomising what a Blackpool player should be”. Yates has made a brilliant start for the Swans, fans quick to recognise his hard work and ball recoveries from pressing, aswell has his intelligence around the box. Yates has netted twice for the Swans both goals coming in the championship. Yates is quickly making a name for himself with the Jack Army.
Mykola Kuharevich
Mykola is another player who joins the Swans on a permanent deal. The fee was undisclosed but is believed to have been somewhere between £1-2 million. The 21 year old has put pen to paper on a three year contract with an optional additional year.
Mykola joins the Swans from French Division 2 side ES Troyes AC. Mykola spent his 22/23 season on a year long loan at Hibernian in the Scottish Premiership where he netted 5 times in 15 games. He became a popular figure at the Scottish side getting the nickname ‘Big Mik’.
Noticeably Mykola is 6 foot 4 striker, who comes with a different profile in comparison to Duff’s alternatives. The striker is a powerful forward who enjoys using his physicality to bully opponents in the air, aswell as his hold up abilities being an integral part of his game. Mykola suffered a medial ligament problem towards the end of last season, and a muscular issue, which ruled him out from competing in the under-21 European Championship campaign for Ukraine, and missing out on a pre season. Mykola will need some time on the sidelines and potentially a fair few games with the U23s to build his fitness back up before he stands a chance of making a league start. The number 19 will hope he can work his way into Swansea’s starting lineup and play as Duff’s preferred physical striker, to play along side Yates.
Harrison Ashby
Harrison became Swansea’s first loan singing. The Scotsman joins the Swans on a season long loan as Duff looks to strengthen in the wing back position. The 21 year old completed a £3million move to Newcastle from West Ham in January 2023 with the Magpies investing in a promising youth player. The 21 year old is labelled as a wonder kid on Football Manager and Newcastle fans will be hoping he is the man to replace Trippier in the future .
Ashby is yet to make a full Premier League debut for Newcastle, following a succession of injuries. However, Ashby enjoyed a pre season in America with Newcastle and certainly took his opportunity in the team, registering his first goal for Newcastle.
He is an adventurous full back who is versatile on either wing back however preferably enjoys the right hand side. He is a a player who clearly has a range of passing qualities, registering an good number of assists in his early career. He’s started every game for Swansea so far, impressively adding an assist and goal to his name, a good start to say the least. He will be hoping to return to Saint James’s Park with experience under his belt and a chance to fight for a first team spot next year,
Charlie Patino
The Arsenal youngster joined the Swans on a 1 year loan in August. Following Ntcham’s departure from the club, Duff will be hoping he can play in the number 8 position, with the ability to move forward and develop into a 10.
A player who undoubtedly has made his name for himself in the ranks of the Arsenal academy. Many believe he has the potential to become one of the best players at Arsenal, including former England international Rio Ferdinand who states that people inside the club have told him that he is the best they have seen for his age. He spent last year on a season long loan at Blackpool which is fair to say did not go to plan with the club getting relegated. Blackpool’s system did not play to Patino’s strengths. Patino is a player who enjoys the ball at his feet, running at players and creating opportunities for his strikers. Despite not getting the most from Patino, he became a fan favourite for the Tangerines, with Patino adapting and adding to his game, improving his physicality and defensive contribution. A player with bags of ability who will be hoping to further develop his game and is hoping to get the club back to the Premiere League
Nathan Tjoe-A-On
Nathan signed a three year deal with the club with an optional 12 month extension. The Dutchman joins from Erdevise side Excelsior. He is a player who is very versatile, playing in both left wing back and centre back, which are positions Swansea have felt the need to improve. He is a defensively minded player who is able to read the game well with Excelsior fans keen to point out his desire to make tackles for the team. He made 29 appearances in the Erdevise last year, contributing only 1 assist and 1 goal in the campaign. Nathan did not take part in a pre-season leaving the player unfit. He will be hoping to quickly build his fitness and earn himself a debut for the Jack army. Swansea fans have every right to be excited about a Dutchman arriving from the Erdevise with former Swansea man Joel Piroe making a name for himself here.
Nathan Broome
The swans found themselves in an awkward position following the departure of Benda. It left just Andy Fisher as the only keeper signed on a permanent deal at the club. Nathan Broome spent his last season at League One side AFC Wimbledon. Martyn Margetson was a key driving factor in the decision of the 21 year old, who signed a three year contract, with an optional additional 12 months. Broome is a young player, who can develop under Martyn and his team, but we expect him to be used as a third choice goalkeeper with Andy Fisher as competition for second choice. Nathan spent his youth career with Manchester City and Stoke. He has made three appearances in the England set up featuring for the under 18s.
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