The Swansea City Summer Shopping List

There have been no sightings of Torres, Gerrard or Aguero dining at Rossi's yet this summer, because new signings for Swansea City won't be at the forefront of attention until a new manager is secured.

That patient wait until he is announced has overshadowed the fact that this is the post-season and Swansea need to replenish their squad.

It's hard to speculate on whether the new manager will play a similar 4-3-3 system or whether he will switch to a totally different style. This makes writing a 'what do we need' blog a little tricky at this stage, but, for now, this is my opinion on what should be considered for the shopping list.

Note: I've asked the #TwitterJacks their views on who should be signed (or loaned). If you don't know what a #TwitterJack is, the Oxford English Dictionary describes it as:

#TwitterJack
(noun: a Jack what is on Twitter) 

Shopping List 

Centre-back 
First on the list is quite clearly a new centre-back. It's the essential one - much more crucial than signing Sigurdsson in reality.

It's currently unlikely that Steven Caulker will return from Spurs on another loan deal. Not impossible, just very unlikely. Swansea are bare in the centre-back spots at the moment, with only Ashley Williams really able to do the job week-in week-out. Garry Monk is certainly able to step in when needed - he showed it last season - but he also showed he is slowing down a little, and I don't think he has the legs for a full season as a starting Premier League centre-back.

Ideal ForzaSwansea signing which certainly won't happen: Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus)

Other, more realistic options: Christian Kum (ADO Den Haag), Ömer Toprak (Bayer Leverkusen), Jeffrey Gouweleeuw (Heerenveen), Steven Caulker (Spurs - naturally a very popular choice with the #TwitterJacks)

Left/Right-back
This is less vital than bringing in a new centre-back, but if Angel Rangel or Neil Taylor (or both!) take a knock or are ruled out for a few games, things become a little worrying. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to see Alan Tate start a few games - he deserves it - but, like Monk, he doesn't have the legs and consistent quality that is needed in the Premier League. Jazz Richards is also an option, but not established enough for me yet and uninspiring at times.

Swansea need someone strong, fast and comfortable with the ball at his feet, with the ability to make those essential overlapping runs. Not Fede Bessone.

Ideal ForzaSwansea signing which certainly won't happen: Christian Maggio (Napoli)

Other, more realistic options: Sam Ricketts (Bolton), Adam Henley (Blackburn), Fabio (Manchester United), Nathaniel Clyne (Crystal Palace)

Winger 
This is more of a 'if-we-have-time-and-money-at-the-end-of-the-summer' kind of signing because Nathan Dyer, Scott Sinclair and Wayne Routledge all have the ability to play well enough in the Premier League. However, they all displayed moments of poor form last season - sometimes simultaneously - so another winger to mix things up and provide options if things become stale would be ideal. But, as I said, the new manager will be after others before this position.

Ideal ForzaSwansea signing which certainly won't happen: Arjen Robben (Bayern Munich)

Other, more realistic options: Thomas Ince (Blackpool), Vaclav Pilar (Wolfsburg), Matt Jarvis (Wolves)

Striker
Danny Graham's work ethic is superb and his first season with the Swans produced 12 Premier League goals after a nervous start. While he is certainly one to keep hold of, someone a little more confident - someone who can put them away consistently - should also be on the shopping list. Maybe to start ahead of Graham, or even with him if we see a formation change.

Leroy Lita is strong and keen, but is lacking when it's at his feet. I've warmed a little to Luke Moore, but he has never made me say 'wow - you know what we need is another few Luke Moore's at this club'. Though both Lita and Moore have had their moments of brilliance (vs Blackburn and vs Man City respectively), if Graham became injured, I wouldn't be confident that these two could do the job.

Ideal ForzaSwansea signing which certainly won't happen: Fabio Borini (Parma/Roma)
Other, more realistic options: Pavel Pogrebnyak (Fulham), Yakubu (Blackburn), Marvin Emnes (Middlesbrough) Jordan Rhodes (Huddersfield), Nelson Oliveira (S.L. Benfica), David Lafata (FK Baumit Jablonec)


Attacking Midfield?
I'm not sure about this area. I know Br**an R****rs was ready to break the transfer records with his £7million signing of Sigurdsson, but attacking midfield is an area that Swansea, possibly, already have the talent in.

Let's look at Stephen Dobbie one last time. We've all noticed he has, so far, been unable to make his mark on the Premier League and seems much more comfortable in the Championship. However, any permanent loan to Blackpool seems off until the new manager is sorted for Swansea. Maybe give him a final chance in the first part of next season? It's a gamble which might just pay off (and a gamble I'm sure Ian Holloway would take if he was in charge!).

Andrea Orlandi is another who impressed during his very limited time on the field last season. It could've just been a one off, but Orlandi is one player I'd like to see in the pre-season games against the American sides and could well be the answer to the tricky central problem?

Ideal ForzaSwansea signing which certainly won't happen: Mesut Ozil (Real Madrid)
Other, more realistic options: Wes Hoolahan (Norwich), Jens Toornstra (ADO Den Haag), Rasmus Elm (AZ Alkmaar)


Your opinions are always welcome - just add them in the comments box below, or get in touch on Twitter (now you know what a #TwitterJack is) via @ForzaSwansea.