Swansea City’s record in the transfer market has been impressive since last summer with the majority of the signings making a marked impact in SA1.
Head coach Russell Martin's partnership with sporting director Mark Allen has proved fruitful in what they have achieved in a short time together and it is apparent that recruitment is in safe hands under their stewardship. It was encouraging to hear from the Swansea chief that plans are already afoot for next season.
“I think it is critical to a club,” said Allen, who has also worked at Manchester City and Rangers in a senior capacity. “Championship football is very different to Premier League football, and there will always be an element of having to trade players.
READ MORE: The evolution of Swansea City's attack and the blossoming relationship blooming
“We have made no secret of that in the past, and we will make no secret of it moving forward. It is about realising the players who can help us get up the league, but also developing assets who could help the club economically. We are always mindful of those things, but the strategy is to identify young up and coming players and to purchase them where possible.
“We have had some successes with that this season and long may it continue, we are already out there looking at the next batch, if you like. It’s there for all to see that revenues in the Championship are a lot lower than the Premier League, and it is a league where there is a significant drop in revenue." You can read more about Swansea's shift in transfer policy here.
So far, so good. The pair have overseen 14 arrivals since last summer. Here we run the rule over them.
Joel Piroe
The headline act and most definitely the man of the moment. A brace against Derby County at the weekend took the Dutchman to 20 goals in all competitions in his debut campaign. That is some feat for a 22-year-old. He was signed for £1million but with little fanfare, and with Leicester City reportedly keeping tabs on him, Swansea will have a fight on their hands this summer. Their last striker to hit 20 in a season, Oli McBurnie, was sold for £20million to Sheffield United. Swansea won’t want to sell at all, but in McBurnie a bar - or should we say price tag - has been set. Rating: 9/10
Flynn Downes
Another superb signing, someone Martin has run out of superlatives for. Covid “properly messed” him up earlier in the season but he has been excellent alongside Matt Grimes in the middle of the park. Like Piroe, has attracted the attentions of a top-flight club in Leeds United, with his former coach Kieron Dyer labelling him a £10million player already. Out of every player in Martin’s squad. Downes is the one who makes them tick the most. Rating: 8/10
Jamie Paterson
A rollercoaster of a season for the former Bristol City man. A superb start to life in SA1 was punctuated with a much-publicised contract dispute just after Christmas. You can read about that here. Thankfully for Martin and supporters, differences were put to one side and Paterson has picked up where he left off. A new contract will need to be sorted this summer, though. Rating: 8/10
Cyrus Christie
A January arrival to replace Ethan Laird, Christie has done well on the right flank of defence and it appears the Fulham man is keen on making his move permanent. Out of contract in west London this summer, picking up the experienced defender would be further shrewd business. Rating: 8/10
Michael Obafemi
A slow start in Landore and question marks over application and fitness have all-but evaporated in recent months. The former Southampton man is playing with a smile on his face and his partnership with Piroe has blossomed. Playing the two strikers in tandem has worked wonders and if he can stay fit, the Republic of Ireland man could have a big season next term. Rating: 7.5/10
Who has been Swansea's best signing this season? Join the debate in the comments section below
Hannes Wolf
Understandably took a while to settle having arrived from the continent, but Martin described him as a “beast” at the weekend and his recent performances show why Borussia Mönchengladbach paid £8million for him. Has a touch of class about him and looks well suited to Martin’s style of play. Could a permanent move be on the cards? As ever, finances will dictate. Rating: 7.5/10
Andy Fisher
Brought in mid-season to replace Ben Hamer in between the sticks, it was clear from early on that Martin was really keen to be reunited with Fisher. The former MK Dons stopper has been solid enough, with his distribution his key asset. Rating: 7/10
Ethan Laird
The man Christie replaced, wasn’t far off Swansea’s player of the season over the course of the first half of the campaign. His industrious, attacking displays gave Martin’s side real threat down the right and his infectious personality off the field was evident on it too. It was disappointing to see Manchester United recall and subsequently re-loan him to Bournemouth though, where he has struggled for fitness and form. Rating: 6.5/10
Olivier Ntcham
The former Celtic man has shown flashes of brilliance since his signing but he’s had to bide his time for minutes. Arriving not fully fit has certainly hampered him this season but the role of an impact sub has suited him. Turned the game at West Brom earlier this year and he has the ability to get fans off their seats. Full pre-season should do him good. Rating: 6.5/10
Kyle Joseph
Signed for Swansea but was almost immediately sent out on loan to Cheltenham. There he got games under his belt but Laird’s departure in January, coupled with Morgan Whittaker and Liam Cullen heading to Lincoln City on loan, meant he was recalled. Has featured nine times since and is one for the future. Rating: 6/10
Finley Burns
The young centre-back arrived from Manchester City in January as a replacement for Rhys Williams. The 18-year-old has struggled to edge his way into a settled defensive unit, starting three games but hasn’t featured since the goalless draw with Birmingham City last month. Will most probably head back to the Etihad this summer. Rating: 5/10
Nathanael Ogbeta
Arriving from Shrewsbury with an injury more serious than first realised was hardly ideal for the young defender. Has worked his way back up to fitness and has been seen twice for his new club. Early days but some encouraging signs. Rating: 5/10
Rhys Williams
Didn’t work out at all for the central defender and he was recalled by Liverpool when the transfer window re-opened. A shame for all concerned. Rating: 4/10
Liam Walsh
Swans fans would be forgiven for forgetting Walsh is still in the ranks. He picked up a hamstring injury in the final game of pre-season which kept him out for six weeks. The 24-year-old played seven times for the club - twice in cup competitions - before he was loaned to Hull City in January. Played three times for the Tigers, starting just once, and hasn’t been seen since February. There is a promising player there but a decision will have to be made on him this summer. Rating: 3/10
