Swansea City captain Matt Grimes and midfielder Flynn Downes have both told manager Russell Martin they are committed to the club for the coming season. Both have been included in the latest Swansea City kit launch today somewhat scuppering our headlines. But it remains essential reading for Swansea City supporters this afternoon.

A trusted source to this website has informed us both players very much want to be a part of Russell Martin’s Swansea revolution come the end of July. However, and as we all know every player has his price but talking to our source they have made sense of the current situation. Speaking to us yesterday they said, and quite factually that clubs who may have an interest in both players, and there are, will have to deliver a far higher bid to secure their services. With both clearly stating their desire to remain at the club next season, and not wishing to depart the sums involved will be far higher than for a player wanting to move away from the club.

Of course we realise that readers of the site will respond by stating this is just an exercise in raising the profile and price of these two players. Our response to that is ‘good’ if they do leave it will be for a premium fee and good business for the swans. Matt Grimes signed a new contract last summer and Flynn Downes was very much a ‘must have’ as a part of Russell Martin coming to Swansea as the new season started last time around.

Fast approaching two hundred Swansea appearances captain Grimes doesn’t float everyone’s boat but his ability on the ball is beyond any doubt. There are very few players with his capabilities in the championship. Since signing for the swans in 2015 his development via forty four loan spells at Leeds, Northampton and Blackburn Grimes is considered the clubs lynch pin by Russell Martin. Downes has also impressed swans fans and took to the Russell Martin style of play very easily. Strong and fast on the ball with a natural athletic ability his thirty seven appearances in a swans jersey have made him a firm favourite.

Both have adapted to the way Martin wants his team to play, they remain totally professional and supportive of new ideas and are seen as as important on the pitch as they are off it we are told. And to many swans watchers that’s more than evident. Speaking last season Downes said, “I love the role I play. To be fair, I’ll play anywhere, so wherever the manager puts me, I’ll play there. We’ve been doing a lot of work since I dame here. . I think the international break was a blessing in disguise, really, because we’ve been able to properly work on it and learn all the little tips in that role. But I loved it, and I think it’s even better when all the boys play well, and we all dominate”

It’s clear there is a commitment to carry on the dominant style of play the swans are becoming known for, and swans fans will be hopeful this latest news means they are now priced out of any clubs looking for cheap options this closed season.

We totally agree.

Photographs licensed from Reuters

Swansea City Polls