Swansea City - 10 possible signings

Michael Laudrup has stated to the Welsh media that unless he is promised funds for the summer then he cannot guarantee he will stay. I agree with him in this instance, the club is completely stable and with a profit of 15.9 million last year and that doesn't include some of the players they sold like Joe Allen, Danny Graham etc. The Swans need to spend, their most expensive signings being the joint club record fee they paid for Pablo Hernandez and Ki-Seung Yeung. I can see that being eclipsed this summer.Swansea finished 9th in the Premier League which gives them around 7.2 million add that to the millions they will acquire next term you have to wonder why it's not being ploughed back into the team that's keeping them in the league.

1 - Iago Aspas - Celta Vigo - La Liga

Iago Aspas has been the shining light in what has been a poor debut season in La Liga for Celta Vigo. After 36 games Celta currently occupy 20th place in La Liga and even though the gap is only 4 points from Deportivo La Coruna you can not see Celta winning both their games and Deportivo not taking anything, stranger things have happened but it looks like they will drop down to Segunda. This essentially means they will have to offload their strongest asset and for even cheaper than their asking price or his buy-out class for that matter. His clause is 8 million but you can see them losing him for around 6 if the right buyer comes in. He can play as either an out and out striker or a secondary striker in the form of Michu or even a wide player. His versatility could be a huge asset. 11 goals in La Liga for a struggling side is an accomplished sum.

2 - Jose Canas - Real Betis - La Liga

Another recruit from La-Liga, report in Spain understand that Canas had already signed a pre-contract agreement in January so that he can sign this summer. He occupies the holding midfielder role and has a bit of height around him which could be valuable in the engine room for Swansea City. His displays in La Liga have given Real Betis a lofty position. What he does well is the fact he reads the game well and does the simple things. He's not going to create numerous chances or score plenty of goals but he will defend well and distribute ball. Similar mould to Swansea's own Leon Britton. Will join on a free transfer if reports are to be confirmed.

3 - Romelu Lukaku - Chelsea - Premier League

Romelu Lukaku has been instrumental in the success of West Brom this season of course playing on loan there from Chelsea. You have to wonder how he's not been given a chance at the Blues. He was the 6th top scorer in PL with 17 just behind Swansea's own Michu so the idea of putting them both in contrast of one another could be very appealing. Swansea will search for a season long loan again but that could depend on the future Chelsea manager position and also the needs of the powerhouse striker himself. With rumours of him wanting to go to Dortmund. Would be a crucial asset to Swansea if completed.

4 - Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang - Saint Etienne - Ligue 1

We all know Swansea are in the market for a striker and reports in France claim that Swansea, Spurs and other top sides have shows interest in the 19 goals in Ligue 1 Gabonese striker. Speed and strength are this player's main assets and is coming into the latter stages of his contract so could be interested in a move to the Premier League to test himself. Also very young at 23 so can only improve as a footballer and could be sold on in future. Could be an outsider signing for the summer so keep an eye on this one.

5 - Albert Botia - Sevilla - La Liga

All these attacking re-inforcements and what we have to remember is that Swansea are short of quality in the heart of their defence. If reports are true that Ashley Williams is close to a switch to Arsenal then Swansea have lost not only their captain/leader but also the rock at the back. Botia could be seen as a replacement and at the age of 24 there are plenty of years in this player. It's nowhere near a replacement for Williams but at least it's a start, just like all Swansea signings he has played at top level which is crucial. Remember Botia came through at Barcelona.

6 - Andros Towsend/Scott Sinclair - Spurs/Man City - Premier League

Two players of equal status right now, Townsend who was on loan at QPR this season was a highlight in an anotherwise poor season. Scott Sinclair a familiar figure in Swansea's rise to the Premier League and partially their success in their first season has cut a forlorn figure at Man City. Only 4 starts all season and a blood clot in his shoulder just signify how low a season he's had. He knew once he moved that starts would be limited but sacrificing 40 games a season for 10 at most is a massive change. I believe that a return could have been on the cards had he not been ruled out because of the blood clot damaging his pre-season. Townsend on the other hand has been subject of a betting charge and has pulled out of the under 21s tournament this summer. Both possible signings but recent events could have put a spanner in the works. 

7 - Kenwyn Jones - Stoke - Premier League

Stories in January were rife with speculation that Jones was signing for Swansea, it came just as Swansea were about to play Stoke as well and surrounded the whole event. Kenwyn is in the same form as Lukaku but is more established but in that respect much older. Whereas Lukaku has more raw talent and younger. What he offers is strength and power and he wins a fair share of headers and can retain the ball. He hardly got a look in towards the latter end of Stoke's season and his work rate and passing ability has been questioned. Could possible relight this transfer in the summer especially with Swansea's need for attackers.

8 - Bradley Johnson - Norwich City - Premier League

What Swansea lack in essence is a midfielder who makes a lot of tackles and will get among the midfield and really impose his mark. Bradley Johnson is someone who could offer that and Norwich were quick to deny reports at the end of the season that he was on Swansea's radar. Johnson like Snodgrass for Norwich are two players who really put themselves about and it's something Swansea lack perhaps being too nice at times. Norwich put in some huge performances this season and Johnson was key to this. A grafter in the midfield allows the more creative players a licence to roam. Could be possible subject to other players.

9 - Marcus Alonso - Bolton Wanderers - Npower Championship

An old story here which was possible in January but seems faltering now with the emergence of Ben Davies and the form of Dwight Tiendalli could scupper that move but it could still be one to watch. The Ex Real Madrid youngster has been a huge player for Bolton in past seasons including their Championship push. He has experience at the top level but with Swansea having the luxury of having two full backs on both sides it's something they don't have to worry about as opposed to before this season.

10 - Arouna Kone - Wigan Athletic - Npower Championship

Arouna Kone has been one of the success stories at Wigan alongside the front three of Shaun Maloney and Callum Mcmanaman. 13 goals this season and his ability to retain ball and run the channels has been vitally important. Wigan won the FA cup but also got relegated in the same season, a stat never achieved before. Kone has that bit of pace, almost an element of Obafemi Martins, interestingly both played for Levante. Swansea have always had pace throughout the side but never a striker and this could be a possible signing especially with Wigan needing to offload players to balance the books. Great season for the Ivorian despite what has happened elsewhere.

All these possible signings I've acknowledged from newspaper reports and articles in the past year, remember these are just possible signings and just from what I've seen.

Much appreciated
Daniel John

SAF Retires - Moyes In

It's with great sadness that Sir Alex Ferguson has retired from football, yes he had the occasional spat with a referee or an opposite manager but he leaves a huge mark in the world of football. It's a shame that he had to bow out because his record will be unmatched. The aura he put over Manchester United will be forever visible. Let's not forget the man has won 49 trophies with United, yes he had a strong side at his disposal but it wasn't the case straight away. Before he came to United he started with East Sterlingshire and then St. Mirren in Scotland. It took him 3 years to win the league but for such a small club in comparison to Rangers/Celtic it was the first historic achievement in a chapter full of them to come.

The following season St.Mirren finished a lowly 8th, such a huge decline from champions to 8th so he left for Aberdeen. His first season wasn't rewarding but it was a 4th place finish which was huge at the time. Following season rewarded another title for SAF. 2 titles in 6 years isn't a bad start let's be honest. The following three years didn't yield sucess in the league but did in the cup which showed Ferguson had a flavour for the cup as well. He won the Scottish cup three years in a row with the last of those coming in his latest league success in 83-84. The year before he had done a stupendous effort in winning the UEFA cup winners cup for Aberdeen, his stock was rising slowly and people were starting to take notice. 83-84 will go down as his greatest triumph in Scotland by not only taking the league and cup double but also winning the UEFA Super Cup as well by beating sides like Bayern Munich in the quarter final and of course the mighty Real Madrid 2-1 in the final itself. 

Sir Alex Ferguson was to have 3 more seasons with his native club and in that time he won the league once more and a cup double the following season in 1986. He finished that league in 4th which was poor considering what he had already won. He was 5th in the 86-87 season when Manchester United came calling, Spurs also appealed to SAF but he went on to choose United and David Pleat went to White Hart Lane. He steered United to an 11th placed finish which nowadays was unheard of but this was the start of things to come. The following season in 87-88 he brought United to their best finish in a decade when they finished runners in the Premier League, there was no cup success at this time. Ferguson was slowly building a family and a fortress at Old Trafford. It was only until 1989-90 that he took United to his first FA cup final where he won it against Crystal Palace in a Wembley return courtesy of a winner by Lee Martin. 

What happened next was extraordinary it was like De Ja Vu all over again, the following season he won the UEFA Cup Winners cup and the season after done the same thing he did with Aberdeen and won the UEFA Super Cup the year later. SAF was on the world map and in only 15 years. It was league success that United fans wanted at that time and the season after it was duly delivered. In the 9 years to come leading in the turning of the decade in 2000. Sir Alex Ferguson vowed to knock Liverpool off their perch and take over them in terms of league titles. 7 in 9 years and 2 runners up medals is almost unheard of. Success breeds success in football. 

The Treble!

His biggest success and something he will always be remembered by is the Treble he won in the 98-99 season it was monumental because although the domestic cup was routine and expected it was the triumph in the league and Europe which propelled him into stardom. They were trailing leaders Arsenal all through the season and yet managed to nick it towards the latter end of the season, a classic smash and grab but what endurance to even get that far. It's just the start of things to come, that infamous tie against Bayern Munich in the final where United came back from 1-0 to win 2-1 courtesy of a late winner by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. The semi final prior was no walk in the park as United labored to a 1-1 draw at home to Juventus but managed to steal a 3-2 away win in Turin courtesy of an Andy Cole winner. It was to be the start of United's never say die attitude. This in my opinion is his greatest triumph and will never be replicated. 

Manchester United went on to win 13 Premier League's in the SAF era, the FA cup 5 times, Community shield 10 times and the League cup 4 times. That's 32 trophies just domestically in 26 years. More than one every year. In Europe he won the Champions League twice and also won the European Cup Winners cup once and the European Super cup once. Add that to the Intercontinental cup and FIFA Club World Cup and you've got yourself a legend and surely the greatest manager that has ever been in the game. It's been unbelievable watching him not only push himself but his team each and every year. To have motivation and the ability to succeed not only through the good times but also the bad ones. Look no further than last season when Man City claimed their first title in 30 years. Ferguson strengthened and strolled to the league this year with 4 games to spare. Desire and hunger unmatched at any level. 

Sir Alex Ferguson will always be known as a winner but let's not forget he's a nurturer of player and talent here are some players he's brought onto the world stage.

David Beckham

Eric Cantona

Paul Scholes

Ryan Giggs

Cristiano Ronaldo

Wayne Rooney

There isn't a manager in the world that can match the amount of talent SAF has brought on which is why he goes down as the best manager the world has seen. I've had the pleasure of watching his progress and it's been momentous to see him not only manage but also retire. I and every football fan around the world wish him all the best in his future endeavors. A legend has walked away from the game but at least on his own terms. 

Also a mention of word to David Moyes who Sir Alex Ferguson tried to sign as an assistant manager in 98 from Preston. It could be an astute replacement but only time will tell. One thing is for sure he will never match his predeccesor. They are both tared with the same brush and ilk. Moyes has done wonders with an unbelievably tight budget and squad, now is his time to stand up prove himself at the highest level. Next season will be interesting purely because of one reason and that is that SAF isn't at the dugout anymore. He simply protected his family in Manchester United. Yes he picked up many offences for strong words against referee's and other managers/icons, but what we must remembered he was only defending his family vociferously and wouldn't we do the same?

Goodnight, Take care

Best Wishes SAF

Much Appreciated 

Daniel John

Suarez - One Thing After Another

 

 

 

 

 

 

Suarez at it again

Controversy just seems to follow him around. Ever since signing from Ajax for around 23 million, his indiscretions have overshadowed Liverpool's fall and rise to the top of English football. A gifted player, no doubt yet why would you throw your career away for meaningless idiocrasy. Luis Suarez is now 26 you just can't make excuses for this anymore. He's not a teenager or a child anymore, he should be in control of his own actions and try to change himself instead of hiding under the cloud of Anfield. He was nominated for PFA player of the year by his fellow professionals which means they value his ability as everyone else does but surely someone should not pick up an award when he constantly sets a bad example for younger viewers who aspire to be as good as these players.

Interesting fact - On his debut for Uruguay in 2006 he was sent off for two yellow cards in the 8th minute surely the start of it all.

Another one - In 2007 Luis Suarez was fined alongside Albert Luque for an altercation at Ajax in the dressing room, struggling to get on with others.

Infamous hand of god incident

Suarez v Ghana - Unbelievable

The incident which broke hearts all around the world, it was the quarter final of the World Cup in 2010, Luis Suarez took it upon himself to use his hand to prevent the ball going in and being sent off in the process. The penalty was missed by Asamoah Gyan and was the turning point in the game, despite being down to 10 men, Uruguay held out and won in the penalty shootout. It was a heartbreaking moment although the circumstances defended him on this one, it was still despicable.

Where it all began?

Let's not forget when he was at Ajax it's where the first public incident in his controversial club career occured. On his last ever game for Ajax before he left he bit PSV Eindhoven midfielder Otman Bakkal just near the shoulder and received a 7 match ban, what we must remember is this was only two years ago. It's starting to become a recurring theme.

Luis Saurez - Otman Bakkal

Diving and Finger Pointing

What we already know is that although he's a gifted player his ability to cause chaos at the back is unmatched at any level. It's a shame his behaviour dictates how people know him as a player, Infamously when playing against West Brom Suarez went down easily under a tackle from Jerome Thomas where Paul Scharner claimed the striker had tried a 'nice dive' this was the first of many cases. If this wasn't already a problem add that to the fact he made a finger gesture towards home fans at an away game against Fulham and suddenly it's becoming a scourge and a problem not only for the Premier League but Liverpool Football Club.

Racism Row

Luis Suarez was starting to finally calm down when the incident with United left back Patrice Evra caused him the headlines again. Whether you believe what happened or not the fact that he was involved is not a suprise and it's starting to become more than an inconvenience each time. Suarez was fined and banned for 8 matches. Apparently he used a racist slur ten times.

Luis Suarez/Patrice Evra Race row

Let's look more recently...

FA CUP - Mansfield v Liverpool

This year in the FA cup Liverpool were playing Mansfield away now bearing in mind this side are non league status it's hard to see why Suarez would need to get involved. Well he could have chosen to empty his conscience and leave it up to his team mates to rally round him but he chose the back handed way just like against Ghana. He caressed the ball when it bounced up into him and used it to his advantage to knock it past the keeper and tuck the ball away. It's a clear handball, how it wasn't given is a tragedy and another case of poor officiating this season.  Brendan Rodgers claimed it was up to the officials and not Suarez himself to own up but you think with a record as bad as his there would be an element of apology involved but no.You could again make an arguement for the fact any player would do it to get their side through but it's not is it. There's a difference between the World Cup and the last 32 in the FA Cup.

Luis Suarez v Mansfield

So what happens next?, Well according to reports Suarez is being heavily linked with Borussia Dortmund as a replacement for Mario Goetze. Luis Suarez feels he is being victimized and so do Liverpool but it's getting to the stage where it's becoming almost okay to cheat and what does that do to youngsters watching the game thinking that. He either needs to clean up his attitude and behaviour or leave the Premier League, either way something needs to happen.

Also a little mention to both German clubs in the Champions League who outthought and outmuscled their Spanish neighbours. Bayern winning 4-0 at home to a lacklustre Barcelona and Dortmund impressively defeating Real Madrid in Germany, both huge results for clubs on the up but what of the losers on the night....

Much Appreciated
D.John

Thomas Muller

Robert Lewandowski

La Liga Review

La Liga is the one league I feel like i'm having an affair with right now, The Premier League has always been my first love but I always have to surround myself with Spanish action just purely because it's so damn enjoyable. Everyone always labels the league a two horse race but it's the sub-plots that make it exciting and great on the eye.

The top four currently stands at:

Barcelona:81Pts

Real Madrid:68

Athletico Madrid:65

Real Sociedad:54

Lionel Messi - Another perfect season?

So the question is, has there been anything out of the ordinary from La Liga this season well yes and no. The prevailing theme really has been Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo playing their classic game of raise the bar. Messi has scored an astronomical 57 goals in 46 games this season that is well over a goal per game, this is why he belongs at the very top of football, when you look at the fact that he has scored 310 goals in 375 games overall you kind of understand the important of the little guy. What Messi offers isn't just sheer skill and technique he has an aura to motivate just by being on the pitch.

For reference you only have to look at PSG in the quarter final of the Champions League after drawing 2-2 at Parc Des Princes Barca were heading out after Javier Pastore had shocked the Camp Nou but the introduction of a half fit Messi meant he could galvanise the troops and of course have a hand in the goal. Mesmeric and inspirational.

Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano scoring against old boys United

Let's be honest in an assessment here, Cristiano hasn't done anything out of the ordinary this season, his goals to game ratio has always been superb which is why he's up there with Messi, he is the biggest player at Real clearly yet what he has done this season is score crucial goals at defining times and that's how great players are decided. Messi achieved the feat to score against every side in La Liga consecutively but his service is unmatched at Barca. Not taking anything away from L.M. Ronaldo hasn't equalled that feat but he still stands out every game for the Galacticos. If you look at both top teams these two have been driving forces but there's nothing new about that in all realism.

It's no secret that Les Catalans have simply strutted to reclaim their title from rivals Madrid but it's the emergence of other sides and the disappearance of others that really defines the tournament this year. Remember Athletico Bilbao, a side with players like Iker Munian, Fernando Llorente, Susaeta? Well take a look back at last season when this side completely outplayed Manchester United home and away in the Europa League in what looked like a complete change in momentum in the top leagues.

Fernando Llorente driving Bilbao to a 3-2 away win at OT

This was the scene of one of the biggest upsets in general but not among Spain because Bilbao were purely unresistable at that time. They not only did the business at OT but also maintained that momentum and won both legs. Interesting change of events to where we are today? Bilbao currently reside in 14th place and 19 points behind 4th place, this is sheer astounding. Their manager Marcelo Bielsa is under pressure and suddenly it's backs to the wall. It's a strange one this because aside from Javi Martinez to Bayern the same side remains, mystery it is, a worry, it's becoming.

Another disappointing group of teams in the form of Deportivo, Levante and Osasuna, sides who have enjoyed better times and yet especially Deportivo who currently reside outside relegation would be the most disappointed. It's been a tale of either sides on the up or sides simply on the decline, consistency is key. Solidarity is a powerful component in Spain, also retaining your better players is imperative but just like any other league if the bigger clubs come calling then it's Buenos Dias and thanks for coming.

Here are three suprise packages who have done themselves if not their teams any favours:

Malaga's Isco at the heart of their CL run

Radamel Falcao - 30 goals for Athleti

> Malaga have continued to amaze fans around the world for their heroics and if it weren't for suprise package Borussia Dortmund coming from behind in injury time to break Spanish hearts it could have been a completely different story. Isco is the kind of player every time should have. Cool, composed and technically gifted in the engine room of midfield. Malaga's side isn't gifted with superb players but he's one of them and will surely attract attention despite the best efforts of Los Boquerones.


Athletic Madrid have been the closest to closing the gap from the front two and making it more competitive, this is simply down to a great team ethic and the marksmanship of Radamel Falcao. When they brought him in from Porto personally I thought the price tag was overflated at 40 million Euros which made him the most expensive player in Athletico's history.
30 goals return this season enables that some of that fee is being paid back. Interest from United is high, hardly suprising.

Add caption

Real Sociedad in my opinion are the suprise package this season. The two indicated above have been unplayable at times this season but looking at the sides Real have emerged out of nowhere. Carlos Vela has chipped in with 13 goals and that's a statement on it's own but it's the form of players like Antoine Griezmann and especially this man Xabi Prieto. Prieto has 7 goals on his own which from his holding midfielder position is astounding when he's the creator. Griezmann has 9 himself it's goals throughout the team which has propelled this side to 4th place and a brilliant season.


Overall La Liga has been a success this season, they could have two representatives in the final of the Champions League, could have been more had a lack of concentration not robbed Malaga. The top two have raised the bar and keep on improving although Real will be disappointing by their points difference in contract to Athletico who will be very happy with their season and have something to build on. Barcelona can be beaten and outfought as AC Milan proved and few occasions in La Liga this season. Also could I make a small mention to Celta Vigo who in their first season in the league are in 20th place 4 points off safety and it could have been much worse if it weren't for the form of
Iago Aspas. A small side who have done extraordinary well to reach La Liga itself, If they don't beat the drop with 7 games to go, I hope they at least make a speedy recovery back.

Iago Aspas - Swansea City Target?

Thanks for reading, Hope you enjoyed and gained an insight.
Daniel John