Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Wales Online
Wales Online
Sport
Ian Mitchelmore

Swansea City's summer signings rated as Wolves and Chelsea captures impress but ex-Man City and QPR men need minutes

Swansea City made no fewer than 10 signings during the summer transfer window.

All but one of those recruits have made their debuts for the club, with Joel Latibeaudiere being the only summer capture yet to feature for the Swans this season.

But all in all, the new additions have played a big part in Swansea's impressive start to the 2020/21 campaign.

Here's how they've all rated so far.

Freddie Woodman

Woodman has kept six clean sheets from his 11 league outings so far this term.

The Newcastle United loanee has been remarkably consistent this season and already looks to have made improvements when it comes to dealing with aerial balls delivered into his box.

Competition from Steven Benda is no doubt helping too.

Grade: B+

Marc Guehi

Prior to the win over Rotherham, the defender had played every single minute of league action for the Swans this season.

Guehi has been rock solid for Swansea and has picked up from where he left off in the latter stages of the 2019/20 campaign.

An absolute colossus.

Grade: A*

Morgan Gibbs-White

The attacker made a fine start to life at Swansea, scoring the winner on his league debut at Preston on the opening day of the campaign.

He impressed as Swansea claimed 10 of the first 12 points on offer.

Although his progress since joining on loan from Wolves was cruelly halted when it emerged he would be out of action until January after fracturing his foot in the 2-1 win over Millwall.

Nevertheless, during his short period on the pitch, Gibbs-White showed signs that he can be a real asset for the Swans.

Grade: B+

Viktor Gyokeres

The Brighton loanee - who is currently sidelined after testing positive for coronavirus - has made seven appearances for Swansea, although only two of those have been starts.

Gyokeres offers something different up top with his size and physicality, but he could well need a prolonged run in the side before we see the best of him.

At just 22 years of age, the attacker is still very inexperienced at this level, and that is potentially a factor behind his lack of composure at the business end of the pitch so far this season.

Grade: C

Ryan Bennett

Bennett has wasted no time in proving his worth after joining on a permanent deal from Wolves.

The 30-year-old has made six appearances for the Swans, and his experience is already telling.

He's not afraid to find row Z when required, and he's been a force in the air too. A fine acquisition.

Grade: B+

Ryan Manning

The Republic of Ireland international's sole appearance for his new club came in the 2-0 win over Stoke City in October.

Manning slotted in seamlessly against the Potters in the absence of Jake Bidwell, offering plenty of threat in attack while looking solid defensively.

He'll no doubt have to be patient for regular action this season.

Grade: N/A

Kasey Palmer

Palmer has featured six times since joining on loan from Championship rivals Bristol City.

Given Gibbs-White's injury, Palmer's creativity in attack will be vital if Swansea are to keep themselves in the mix for a top-six spot.

He quickly endeared himself to the Jack Army with a stunning 16-minute cameo against Stoke which included a brave headed goal along with a crunching challenge on James McClean.

Grade: B

Jamal Lowe

The former Wigan Athletic man has started all 12 of Swansea's league games so far this term, although he has completed the full 90 minutes in just two of those.

He struck against Wycombe Wanderers and Bristol City, and his pace along with his extremely high work rate have played a huge part in Swansea's impressive start to the campaign.

However, he has often lacked a clinical edge in front of goal, as his missed chances against the likes of Rotherham and Norwich proved.

Lowe will be a big asset this season though, and if he can add more goals, it will really help to ease the burden on top scorer Andre Ayew.

Grade: C+

Korey Smith

The central midfielder has played in all but one of Swansea's league matches so far this term.

And it's fair to say he's been solid rather than spectacular.

Smith isn't afraid to do the dirty work in the middle of the park, although Jay Fulton's form means he'll be in and out of the side.

Grade: C+

It seems Cooper is pleased with the way the new recruits have adapted to life at the Liberty Stadium.

"I think everybody's contribution so far has been a positive one," he said.

"It's a good start to their Swansea careers. Early days, and still so much to play for and to achieve. There's going to be some ups and downs along the way.

"I don't just think we've brought good players in this year, we've brought good characters in as well. Strength in more ways than just the obvious on the pitch.

"It's a real good vibe at the training ground, a real sense of togetherness. At the same time, it's a demanding environment.

"I think the new faces in the building have really contributed. we felt like we had it anyway, with the likes of Matt Grimes, Jay Fulton, Connor Roberts, Jake Bidwell etc, I could go on and name a load of names there, but we feel like they've added.

"We've sometimes relied a little bit on Wayne [Routledge] and Nathan [Dyer] to be the senior [figures], bringing in the likes of Ryan Bennett in has helped. That load is shared a little bit as well."

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.