How the new signings at Swansea City have fared thus far
With the transfer window finally closed, the first international break of the new campaign in around the corner and current Championship pace-setters Swansea City should be more than happy with how things have panned out for them in opening few weeks.
Having won four of their first five league games, Swansea headed into the top-of-the-table clash against Leeds United brimming with confidence and a tense 90 minutes at Elland Road saw Steve Cooper’s side claim all three points with a 1-0 victory, thus heading into the international break atop the standings.
Indeed, the Swans have taken everybody by surprise with what has been their best start to a season in 41 years and, going by what we have seen from them thus far, there is every chance that the Welsh outfit might make an unlikely surge for promotion this term if they continue to rack up such impressive performances in the coming months.
Having lost last season’s attacking mainstays, Daniel James and Oliver McBurnie, to Man United and Sheffield United earlier in the summer, as well as manager Graham Potter, who departed the Liberty Stadium take up the job at Brighton, Swansea were tipped for mid-table obscurity in the Championship.
However, the Swans have silenced their critics with a blistering start to the season and, while a lot of credit should go to Cooper’s man-management and tactical nous, it is definitely worth looking at how their new signings have fared thus far.
1. Jake Bidwell (7/10)
The 26-year-old left-back became Cooper’s first signing of the summer when he made his move to the Liberty Stadium on a free transfer from QPR and the former Everton and Brentford man has enjoyed a solid start to life at his new club.
Bidwell has established himself as one of the mainstays of the backline, starting each of the club’s first six games in the Championship. Calm and composed at the back, the Southport-born defender has also showcased his ability to drive forward, as demonstrated by his assist for Borja Baston’s goal in the 3-2 victory over Preston.
Indeed, Swansea are likely to find themselves at the right end of the table at the end of the season if he continues to prove his worth.
2. Aldo Kalulu (2/10)
The diminutive French attacker was signed on loan from Swiss side Basel but he is yet to hit the ground running at the Liberty Stadium. Kalulu was completely unproductive in the goalless draw at Derby County, while he was hooked at half-time against Preston due to an injury.
The former Ligue 1 star has endured a difficult start to his time in English football and Cooper will be hoping that he can turn his fortunes around in the weeks to follow.
3. Freddie Woodman (7/10)
Signed on loan from Newcastle United in the summer, the England U-21 international has proven himself to be a wonderful addition to the ranks at Swansea.
Having quickly established himself as the first-choice between the sticks at the Liberty Stadium, Woodman has played every minute of the club’s campaign in the Championship so far and few would argue against the fact that he has been one of the standout performers for the Swans.
Woodman’s penalty-save and man-of-the-match display against Derby made him a popular figure amongst the fans, while the young shot-stopper also made some crucial saves in the victories over Preston and QPR.
4. Sam Surridge (6/10)
The talented youngster joined Swansea on loan after struggling for regular minutes at Bournemouth the last term and he has already hit the ground running at his new club, despite largely featuring as a substitute.
Borja Baston’s scintillating form has kept the 21-year-old on the bench more often than not, with his involvement in the league limited to just four cameos from the bench so far.
The starlet did, however, find the net in the triumph over QPR, while also bagging a brace in the emphatic 6-0 victory over Cambridge United in the League Cup. Surridge has already shown strong signs of promise and Cooper can be assured that he is good enough to slot in whenever the need arises.
5. Ben Wilmot (4/10)
The teenage centre-back made his move to the Liberty Stadium on loan from Watford but the form of Joe Rodon and Mike van der Hoorn in central defence hasn’t allowed him to start a game for the Swans in the Championship so far, with the 19-year-old only featuring in the Carabao Cup triumphs over Northampton Town and Cambridge United.
Surely, he would have got more playtime under his belt had it not been for the partnership of Rodon and van der Hoorn at the back but his promising start to the season is definitely an encouraging sign for the Swans.
6. Kristoffer Peterson (4/10)
Signed from Heracles in the summer, the Swedish winger is yet to make a big impact, having only played a couple of cameos from the bench in the Championship thus far.
To Read More Swansea City News, Click Here:- Latest Swansea City News
He has enjoyed some involvement in the League Cup, though, scoring the opener in the 6-0 rout of Cambridge United.
Cooper hasn’t opted to use him much in the league fixtures but there is surely a lot more to come from the former Liverpool man.