Stadium: Liberty Stadium Capacity: 20,827 Years in Premier League: 3 Last 3 seasons: 2014-15: 12th 2013-14: 9th 2012-13: 11th Best finish: 9th (2012-13) Opening day fixture: Chelsea (A), Aug 8 Last day fixture: Manchester City (H), May 15
This season’s aim:
After finishing eighth in the league table last season, their highest position and points tally for a Premier League season, things are looking up for Swansea City. Former defender and now first-team manager Garry Monk has stamped his mark on his squad and has impressed at the helm since succeeding Michael Laudrup at the Liberty Stadium last year. However; with the likes of Crystal Palace, Everton, Southampton, Stoke City and Tottenham all expected to compete intensely for a top-seven finish and European football next term, the Welsh outfit may struggle to repeat last term’s achievements. The arrival of Ghanaian international Andre Ayew from Marseille should give the Swans a lift up front following last season’s departure of star striker Wilfried Bony, meanwhile the club have done well to keep hold of Bafetimbi Gomis who was subject to interest from the Far East.
Transfers in:
Andre Ayew (Marseille), Franck Tabanou (St Etienne), Kristoffer Nordfeldt (Heerenveen), Eder (Braga)
Transfers out:
lan Tate (Released), Gerhard Tremmel (Released), David Cornell (Released), Jazz Richards (Fulham)
Star Player: Bafetimbi Gomis
Manager Garry Monk entrusted the French striker with the task of filling Wilfried Bony’s boots at Swansea City following the Ivorian’s switch to Manchester City back in the New Year, and Bafetimbi Gomis has started to serve up the goods with ten goals last season in all competitions. However, more is still expected from the former Lyon hitman, especially now with the summer acquisition of Andre Ayew who should help carve out some more goalscoring opportunities for the 29-year-old, plus a few goals from Ayew himself.
Shoot’s Swansea blogger: Matt Harrison
Blogger’s key man: “So how on Earth do Swansea City improve on last season’s showing? Well, it seems judging from interviews at the end of last season, that even Garry Monk is unsure how, but he’ll give it a hell of a go. No player upheaval or bids to pinch our manager (for a change) see the club stable for one summer and the Swans have added to the squad astutely with Andre Ayew being the star name added to the squad on a free. The next step for the Swans and only way for them to look now is to Europe – be it via a cup or league position. Southampton did it so why can’t the Swans?”
Blogger’s key man: Ki Sung-Yeung
Shoot Says: Bottom half