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Wales Online
Wales Online
Sport
Ian Mitchelmore

How Swansea City's best XI has dramatically changed since Sheffield United opener

Four players made their debuts for Swansea City in the dramatic 2-1 win over Sheffield United at Bramall Lane on the opening day of the season.

Summer signings Bersant Celina and Barrie McKay were both in the starting line-up while fellow new recruits Joel Asoro and Yan Dhanda both came off the bench against Chris Wilder's men.

And it's safe to say Swansea's best XI has certainly changed since substitute Dhanda scored with his first touch in senior football to secure a memorable victory in the glorious South Yorkshire sunshine.

Asoro and Dhanda have made only 12 Championship appearances between them since that triumph over the Blades while only two of McKay's last nine appearances for the Swans have been starts.

Of the four debutants in that game in Sheffield, former Man City No. 10 Celina is the only one to have nailed down a starting berth this season.

And there have been significant changes elsewhere too.

Federico Fernandez departed soon after that opening-day success, with the central defender securing a move to Newcastle United.

And Martin Olsson has not featured since his season was cruelly cut short due to an Achilles injury he sustained in the 3-2 win over Brentford at Griffin Park in December.

Further up the pitch, Jay Fulton has fallen behind the likes of Matt Grimes and George Byers in the pecking order while Tom Carroll has since joined Aston Villa on loan.

Even goalkeeper Kristoffer Nordfeldt had to endure a long spell watching on from the sidelines as Erwin Mulder made the No. 1 jersey his own, although the former is set to be first choice for the remainder of the campaign following the injury sustained by the latter during the recent international break.

As for the bench at Sheffield United, Jefferson Montero and Jordi Amat have both departed the club for West Brom and Rayo Vallecano respectively.

And there was no room in the matchday 18 for the experienced duo of Wayne Routledge and Nathan Dyer, nor for a certain Daniel James.

So in truth, Connor Roberts, Mike van der Hoorn, Celina and Oli McBurnie are the only four to start the first game of the season who are guaranteed starters at present.

James and Matt Grimes have become indispensable following a string of high quality performances while Joe Rodon, Leroy Fer and Olsson can probably say they are nailed on to start when not on the treatment table.

So following a season of ups and downs, we're asking fans what they think is Swansea's best XI at present if they had a fully fit squad to choose from.

Swansea City XI v Sheffield United: Nordfeldt; Roberts, van der Hoorn, Fernandez, Olsson (Grimes 72); Fulton (Dhanda 85), Carroll; Asoro (Montero 63), Celina, McKay; McBurnie.

WalesOnline's current preferred Swansea City XI: Nordfeldt; Roberts, van der Hoorn, Rodon, Olsson; Fer, Grimes; James, Celina, Routledge; McBurnie.

Select your team using the widget below. (Only players currently at the club are available for selection)

Share your team on Twitter @SwanseaCityLive or on Facebook @SwanseaCityWalesOnline.

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