Your Swansea City headlines for Sunday, March 27.
Downes 'nowhere near' Kalvin Phillips' level
Paul Robinson says Leeds United should be targeting players from a higher level than the Championship amid the Whites' reported interest in Swansea's Flynn Downes.
The Times recently stated that the Elland Road outfit were eyeing up a summer move for the Swansea midfielder given the uncertainty surrounding the future of Kalvin Phillips. The Swans would be loathe to lose the man who has established himself as one of the key figures of the club's style shift under Russell Martin.
However, given Swansea's current financial state, there is an expectancy that their top stars, including Downes, will attract transfer interest in the future. But former Leeds shot stopper Robinson has voiced his concerns over the Yorkshire club's interest in the 23-year-old.
“He’s not at the same level as Kalvin Phillips – he’s nowhere near. Look at how big a miss Phillips has been this season,” the former goalkeeper told MOT Leeds News.
“Leeds have got to start shopping at the same shops as the top half of the Premier League. Yes, there are bargains to be had and there are top players in the Championship – look at Jarrod Bowen, for example, at West Ham. But your recruitment has got to be absolutely spot on.
“If you are going to lose Phillips, you’ve got to be recruiting at the top table, you’ve got to be looking around Europe for better players, you’ve got to improve. I can’t see Leeds progressing forward if they’re consistently shopping in the Championship when they need to buy better players.”
How much do you think Flynn Downes is worth? Have your say in our comments section below.
Midfielder explains exit
Dan Williams admits January was the right time to leave Swansea on loan to get regular game-time at senior level.
The midfielder featured twice in the Carabao Cup for his boyhood club in August and scored his first goal for Swansea against Plymouth Argyle. However, after failing to get minutes under Russell Martin after those cup outings, Williams joined Dundalk in the recent transfer window.
The Welshman has been a key figure for the Irish side in the opening stages of the 2022 campaign, scoring twice in his seven outings so far.
"To be honest, I just wanted to get out and play some first-team football. I feel like I am at that stage in my career now," he told Sgorio. "After a couple of conversations with the manager, I felt like it was the right move to come here.
"The intensity I'd say [is the biggest step up], in terms of going at it for 90 minutes, whereas, under-23s, maybe it's a bit more chilled out. The physicality is a big difference, you're playing against men, you don't have much time on the ball and people in your face. It just gets you quicker on the ball. That's why we came here."
Dundalk boss Stephen O'Donnell commented: "Dan has lot and lots of quality. He has a bright future ahead of him."
Academy production line to continue
Mark Allen is confident that Swansea's academy will continue to produce players for the first team.
Stars including Joe Rodon, Connor Roberts, Oli McBurnie and Daniel James have all made the step up to Premier League football having graduated from Swansea's youth system in recent years. And with the club no longer receiving parachute payments, it is more vital than ever that the Swans develop their own talents and turn them into key assets.
And sporting director Allen is fully confident that those who impress at academy level will be given the chance to shine under the current first team coaching staff.
“I think Russell has been absolutely phenomenal in his support of the academy players. He has a high visibility at the academy, he is watching games when it is appropriate and when he can. He and Gilly are regularly there to support and offer guidance," Allen told the Swansea website.
“But more so, they are showing faith in some of those youngsters in saying they are good enough to come in and train in the first-team set-up and even play. Cameron Congreve has been the latest, but there are more in the production line who will hopefully follow suit.
“I view this as a special football club in the sense that everyone believes in where we are trying to get to, and supports where we are trying to get to. “So, when talking about the academy it is absolutely right to mention Kris O’Leary, Darren Davies, Jon Grey and others.
“They are heavily invested in Swansea and can see the merits in pursuing that strategy, because their job is to get players through. It is not about winning a league or a football match. We all like to do those things, but at that level it is about who is coming through. I am very comfortable and confident with what is in the production line.”
Which academy player would you like to see get more first team action? Have your say in the comments section below.
Christie: Cardiff stat mentioned straight away
Cyrus Christie says the much sought-after South Wales derby double was one of the first statistics mentioned to him when he joined Swansea on loan from Fulham.
Neither Cardiff or Swansea have ever managed to win both league meetings between the sides in the same season. However, Russell Martin's men have the chance to make history in the second derby of the campaign at Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday.
Swansea thumped their local rivals 3-0 earlier on in the campaign and are now bidding to win at the home of the Bluebirds for the second season running.
“We all know how big the Cardiff game is – no one needs to talk about that,” Christie said. “It’s the first time anyone could do the double so it’s a big game and we know how much it means to everyone.
“I think [the derby double] is one of the first things someone mentioned to me. "I think it was Kev the maintenance man and one of the ground staff. They mentioned it before they’d even introduced themselves, so I know how big it is.
“At any club you’re at, when it’s a rival team everyone wants the bragging rights, and we’ll go into that game full of confidence. I’ve been at a few clubs now where the derby games are massive, and no one likes to be on the losing side of it.”
Cardiff v Swansea gets underway at 3pm on Saturday, April 2.
International round-up
Ryan Manning featured as a late substitute as Republic of Ireland earned a 2-2 draw with Belgium.
The Swansea defender started the game at Dublin's Aviva Stadium on the bench but played the final 10 minutes plus injury-time as Stephen Kenny's side twice came from behind to finish level with the side ranked number one in the world by FIFA. Ireland return to action against Lithuania on Tuesday night.
Manning will miss the South Wales derby on Saturday as he serves the final game of a four-match suspension as a result of his red card against Fulham.
Meanwhile, Olivier Ntcham did not feature for Cameroon in their 1-0 defeat to Algeria. The Swansea man has previously represented France at youth level but was recently called up for Cameroon for the first time.
The second leg is on Tuesday night, with a place at the 2022 Qatar World Cup on offer for the winner.
