Paul Clement’s Move To Sign Barnsley Star Makes Sense, But Who Is This Swansea Target?

Scout Report – Andy Yiadom

According to reports from the Sun, Swansea City have made a £3 million offer for the transfer of full-back Andy Yiadom from Barnsley.

The 25-year old has been chased by Premier League newbies Huddersfield Town and the Terriers have already had three bids rejected for the player as they wouldn’t meet the Tykes’ £3 million valuation. However, with the Swans offering as much, they have jumped ahead of the queue and are primed to complete the transfer of Yiadom.

The Ghanaian international was one of the most consistent performers in his position last season in the EFL Championship and is expected to complete a move to the Welsh club in the coming weeks. Amidst the transfer speculations, let’s take a look at what will Swansea be getting on their hands, if they complete the transfer of Yiadom;

Footballing Background

Born in London, England, on 2 December 1991, Yiadom started off his youth career with Watford in 2008, but departed the club two years later after not being offered a professional contract. He joined Conference Premier side Hayes & Yeading United in 2010. Having made 36 appearances for the club, the full-back moved on to join newly promoted Conference Premier side Braintree Town after a year.

Yiadom made a blistering start to life at Braintree Town and had scored seven goals in 28 games as early as January, which prompted League Two outfit Barnet to snap him up in the winter transfer window. He made his debut for the Bees in February 2012 and established himself as a key cog in the team soon after. With Barnet going down to the National League at the end of 2012/13 season, Yiadom continued to impress in the lower league and helped them return to the League Two after earning promotion in the 2014/15 campaign.

The defender enjoyed his most fruitful campaign in 2015/16, finishing with 7 goals and 5 assists in 43 games in all competitions. His performances did not go unnoticed as Championship side Barnsley signed him up in the last summer. Yiadom made his debut for the Tykes in August 2016 and went on to make 33 appearances over the course of the season, chalking up 3 assists in the process.

Having been born in England for Ghanaian parents, Yiadom was eligible to represent both the nations. He was called up for the England C team back in 2014, for whom he played 3 games and was named their Player of the Year in 2015.

In November 2016, the 25-year old received a call up for the Ghana national team and he made his debut for them in a 1-0 loss to Egypt in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations. He has made 2 appearances so far.

Style of Play

A versatile full-back who can play on either side of the defence, Yiadom is predominantly right-footed and prefers to play as a right-back. Throughout his career, he has been used in various roles down the flanks, as a wing-back and a winger as well on a number of occasions, owing to his brilliant attacking intent.

A top notch dribbler of the ball, Yiadom has made his name due to his surging forward runs down the flanks, which was slightly tied down last season due to the way Barnsley operated. Defensively extremely sound as well, the 25-year old has shown that he can hold his own against opposition wingers as well. A strong tackler and a good reader of the game, Yiadom can sense and danger and make crucial blocks and interceptions in and around the penalty box.

What Does The Future Hold?

With just a year left on his contract, a summer exit for Yiadom was always on the cards. While Huddersfield have failed to match the asking prices set by Barnsley, Swansea have edged them out and look the best placed team to complete the transfer.

With Kyle Naughton as the first-choice and the injury prone and ageing Angel Rangel as the backup, a move for Yiadom makes sense for the Swans as the Ghanaian international has the abilities to challenge Naughton for the spot in the starting XI and even displace him.