Swansea City have “no chance” of suffering relegation from the Premier League

Swansea City have bought well in the summer transfer window, and now have a squad that can definitely compete in the Premier League this season.

Two of the Swans’ best signings have come in the forward department. Spanish international striker Fernando Llorente has signed for the club, bringing in tremendous pedigree having won the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012 with Spain, as well as several Serie A titles whilst at Juventus. Plus he even managed to win the Europa League with Sevilla last term.

And then there’s Borja Baston, another striker who has come to the Liberty Stadium from La Liga. Swansea acquired the services of Baston from Atletico Madrid for a club record fee of £15.5m after a phenomenal campaign on loan at Eibar in 2015/16, netting an impressive 18 goals.

Former Basconia, Athletic Bilbao, Juventus and Sevilla star Llorente – Photo: Offside / IPP.

With two great strikers now at the South Wales club, optimism among fans has highly increased and an opening day victory away against Burnley was a result that sees confidence sky high at Swansea going into Saturday’s home fixture against Hull City.

The question is; who does Francesco Guidolin pick this weekend? Llorente? Baston? Both..?

Llorente played very well at Turf Moor last Saturday, despite failing to find the net. The big Spaniard won eight aerial battles, which was the joint highest in the league on the opening matchday.

He also held up the ball brilliantly and linked well with his teammates, bringing the likes of Modou Barrow, Wayne Routledge and Jefferson Montero into the game.

In my opinion, it’d be a tad harsh to drop Llorente after such a good shift up in Burnley, and I’d back him to go on to score against Hull later this week. His presence is an asset, and in front of the Liberty Stadium faithful, he’d be raring to get off the mark with his first goal in the Premier League.

However, there is an argument for Baston. After paying a very large fee for the 23-year-old, Guidolin would, rightfully, be keen to involve him.

Baston would have trained with the Swans for over a week come Saturday and will be eager to get out on the pitch to justify his £15.5m price tag.

Could Swans boss Guidolin opt to start both Llorente and Borja against Hull this weekend? – Photo: Paul Roberts / Offside.

Perhaps, if we’re thinking further into this scenario, the two strikers could play. Although, this would mean a change in formation which is unlikely after the 4-2-3-1 has worked excellently in the past.

I think Guidolin will stick with Llorente against the Tigers and bring on Baston after the hour mark. See how Llorente does for the first hour, ruff up their defenders and perhaps nick a goal. And then, after a gruelling shift against a highly physical Llorente, the Hull defence will be braced upon the impact of a more quick and rampant striker in Baston.

The Swans are lucky to have as good options as they do now and a selection headache is always a superb problem to have – especially up front. The duo of Llorente and Baston could prove to be a formidable and prolific strike-force, and they’re definitely ones to watch this season.

A whole host of pundits have predicted Swansea to get relegated this campaign. No chance.

With Llorente and Baston upfront and midfield maestro Gylfi Sigurdsson in behind feeding them, it’s the club’s best chance of goals since the highly successful [Wilfried] Bony-Sigurdsson partnership, for sure.