Paul Clement admits Swansea need quality after United defeat

Swansea City manager Paul Clement was under no illusion following his side's 4-0 defeat to Manchester United, admitting that the club 'absolutely need to sign quality players.'

A late flurry of United goals heaped the misery on the Welsh club at the end of a week which has seen them one of their finest-ever players, Gylfi Sigurdsson, depart for Everton.

Without the Icelandic playmaker's craft and guile, Swansea struggled to create. They are also still missing last season's top-scorer Fernando Llorente, who is still injured, and Clement admitted that he needs to sign players.

“We absolutely need more quality players to come in, so we have a chance of being competitive this year,” Clement said.

“The sooner we can do it the better. It could go later in the window but the necessity is there. It’s clear.

“We were competitive for long periods of the game. Up until the second goal the difference was a set-play and generally, the shape was good.

“I made some offensive changes because I don’t want to be a coach happy to lose 1-0 at home, but we ended up playing to their strengths and they punished us.”

“Today I’m more disappointed with the result than some of things I’ve seen. I was happy with some of the things defensively, not so happy offensively.

“We went a goal down and tried to do something about it but we got punished and it’s hard to take.”

Next up for Swansea is an EFL Cup tie against MK Dons before travelling to Selhurst Park next week to face Crystal Palace, who have opened their season with two straight defeats. 

Swansea braced for disappointment as Stoke refuse to sell Joe Allen

Swansea's pursuit of Joe Allen may be an exercise in futility with Stoke City refusing to entertain offers for the Wales midfielder.

According to Sky Sports, Stoke have directly informed Allen's former club that he will remain with the Potters beyond this window, indicating that the player himself is happy and settled in Mark Hughes' first-team.

Allen helped establish Swansea as a Premier League side before scoring a lucrative move to Liverpool. He spent four years at Anfield before joining Stoke last summer, going on to have one of the finest seasons of his career.

Stoke boss Hughes had appeared to pour cold water over any potential deal, too, saying that Allen is simply not for sale.

"My understanding is there was a tentative inquiry and that was it.

"We rebuffed that, didn't give it any encouragement whatsoever, and that's where we are with that one, not for sale."

Paul Clement admits Swansea's transfer business may cut it fine on deadline day

Swansea City manager admits that the club's quest to complete their recruitment for the new season may bring them right to transfer deadline day.

Clement watched his side draw 0-0 with Southampton on Saturday but knows that bolstering his squad is absolutely imperative if they are to steer clear of the relegation zone. The expected departure of Gylfi Sigurdsson, their most influential attacking player, has placed further emphasis on the need for new signings.

The manager will have funds at his disposal with which he is expected to make moves for Wilfried Bony – the former Swansea striker who is deemed surplus to requirements at Manchester City – West Brom's Nacer Chadli and Joe Allen of Stoke City.

However, Clement – in a subtle warning to fans expecting announcements this week – has implied that it may be a struggle to conduct all desired deals before the deadline.

“For me, I want players in as soon as possible but the reality is it could go to the last day in terms of ‘ins’,” he said.

But we want the time to be able to do the negotiating, and if it is on the last day it is hard to do it or you pay way over the amount, and we don’t want to do that either.

“We’ve identified targets, but you don’t know if you can get the first choice on your list.”

Clement also expressed his wish for the transfer window to shut before the season starts as to not unsettle players such as Diego Costa, Virgil van Dijk and Philippe Coutinho whereby they are not available for selection.

“It is frustrating here and I am sure Southampton and Liverpool are frustrated too. That’s why the window needs to close before the season starts so you can get on with football,” he said.

“Our club would support that decision. In our managers’ meeting at the Premier League last week we spoke about it, it was discussed and I think the majority of clubs are in favour of it.

“I think we all have to be in favour of it for it to go through."

Swans v Man United Preview (19/8/17)

Considering last season's early loss at St Marys, we can only think of last weekend's stalemate at Southampton as a positive.

Yes it was dull, yes we failed to register a single shot on target and yes we sat back for a point - but we got that point. It's hard to imagine many teams will leave the south coast with anything more than a beating, so let's keep our heads high.

It's very much a case of onto the next one now. Unfortunately, the next one is one of the toughest around in Manchester United. The Reds are flying high after their 4-0 smashing of West Ham on Sunday and £75m striker Romelu Lukaku appears absolutely lethal.

This same fixture last year prompted a chorus of boo's from the Liberty as Bob Bradley led the Swans to a limp 3-1 home loss. Pogba and Ibrahimovic's goals had finished us off within half an hour and we sat delicately poised in 19th spot on just FIVE points - joint with Sunderland!

Realistically, that should remind us just how poor the situation was before Paul Clement arrived. With Clement in charge here, things will surely be different.

This IS a Man United squad who are stronger than they were this time last year, but it's also a Swansea squad rejuvenated. The likes of Van der Hoorn, Barrow and Borja won't be seen, while Olsson, Abraham and Ayew will give offer much more quality.

The setup will likely be the same as the trip to Southampton. Routledge and Ayew on the flanks, Abraham leading the line, three in the middle. With a feisty, energetic United midfield of Pogba, Matic and possibly Herrera, Roque Mesa could be introduced for Leon Britton, with Tom Carroll holding and Leroy Fer playing ever-so-slightly further forward.

This current back four has let in just one goal in their last four league games and must continue to shine against a scary Man United forward line. Given our strength rests mostly in our defensive ability and structure and the fact that Gylfi Sigurdsson, Ki Sung-yueng and Nathan Dyer will all definitely be missing, it's hard to envision a crazy game full of goals. With Fernando Llorente also probable to miss out, it's hard to imagine any Swans goals at all.

The focus will be on keeping things tight and not getting beat - in doing that, you create a couple of chances yourself and possibly take the game. Keep this United side quiet and we've had a good day. We'd be happy with a 0-0 at 12/1 with Paddy Power, but a 1-1 seems more realistic at 9/1 with William Hill. The draw is 10/3 with Sky Bet, while a Swans win (dare we dream?) is 9/1 with Paddy Power.

Swansea City sign former Coventry youngster Courtney Baker-Richardson

Swansea City have confirmed the signing of Courtney Baker-Richardson from non-league side Leamington FC.

The former Coventry City academy product will link up with the club's U23 side on a two-year contract after impressing in the National League North last season, where he scored 21 goals.

The 21-year-old started his career with the Sky Blues but only made two first-team appearances before moving on. He also had spells with Tamworth, Nuneaton and Redditch.

“It still has not sunk in,” said Baker-Richardson.

“The welcome I have had has been superb and I feel this is a move that can benefit my career and help me push me on. I am very excited to get started.

“I have had to take a few knock backs in my career, but whenever people tell me I am not good enough, it only motivates me to prove them wrong.

"I had a good 18 months at Leamington and I feel I can deliver at this level.

“I watched the game on Friday (against Liverpool U23s) and thought we were unfortunate to lose 2-0.

“I am looking forward to getting started.”

West Brom boss Tony Pulis not ruling out Chadli to Swansea

West Brom manager Tony Pulis has confirmed that the club is willing to listen to offers for winger Nacer Chadli, with Swansea believed to be one of the interested parties.

The Belgium international, who joined the Baggies from Tottenham Hotspur last summer in a club record £13million deal, is a key target for Swans boss Paul Clement, who is actively pursuing targets in preparation for Gylfi Sigurdsson's expected departure to Everton.

Clement admires Chadli's pace and creativity and believes he would be a strong addition at the Liberty Stadium as he can be played in the centre or out wide.

"It's been publicised that Swansea are interested in Nacer – if they are, we'll deal with Swansea," Pulis told the Birmingham Mail.

"At the moment Nacer is with us and I hope he stays with us."

 Chadli was left on the bench for West Brom's 1-0 win over Bournemouth on Saturday after reportedly falling out with Pulis during pre-season. However, the Baggies boss poured cold water over any suggestion of discord.

"You have your ups and downs like every family, but Nacer has trained hard this week and he's worked well," Pulis said.

Everton confident of securing Sigurdsson as playmaker’s departure looms large

Everton remain confident of landing Swansea City midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson, despite seeing a second bid of around £45 million rejected, according to the Liverpool Echo.

The Toffees are aggressively pursuing the Icelandic playmaker thanks to a cash influx from selling Romelu Lukaku to Manchester United, but the Welsh club are determined to hold out for £50 million for their star man.

The 27-year-old was not included in Swansea’s squad for the tour of America and has been training with the club’s under-23s squad because he is not in the “right frame of mind.”

Sigurdsson has reportedly informed the club of his desire to join Ronald Koeman’s side and it’s increasingly looking like his second departure from the club (he left for Tottenham Hotspur in 2012) is a matter of when, not if.

Discussion over the player’s future are thought to be a major priority for Swansea this week after they returned to pre-season on Wednesday. It remains to be seen whether Swansea boss Paul Clement includes Sigurdsson for the club’s friendly against Birmingham City on Saturday.