Phil SumblerI must admit I don’t subscribe to the media hype that is given to transfer deadline day. In a world where Sky television turn it into something akin to a soap opera all over the country there has been many weeks – or even months – where business has been done slowly and steadily.
This year was always likely to be a little bit different in so much as the window closes on the back of an international break, the window for Premier League clubs to deal with August shut almost two weeks earlier and clubs continue to feel the pinch of the financial impact of a certain global pandemic.
But as the dust settles and we take a look back on a transfer window we surely have to declare the one dealt by the Swans as exceptionally strong and, given the financial circumstances by which we are hampered, one of the strongest we have completed for a long long time.
But before we look at the incomings of a busy day yesterday there was of course obvious disappointment at the loss of Joe Rodon. Described as an “undisclosed fee” the rumours and reports suggest it is £11m rising to £15m which was less than the fee the Swans were hoping for even before this pandemic started. We always knew – even as early as the turn of the year – that the sale of Rodon was one of the likely events of the summer pandemic and whilst some may have clung to the hope of us just holding on when Spurs came in it was always going to happen. They held an ace card in our former Chairman who knows our financial position better than anyone and they have themselves a good deal. We wish Joe all the best with his move as you would expect.
On the flip side yesterday we saw the arrival of the two Ryans – Manning and Bennett – and Joel Latibeaudiere all of whom joined on a permanent deal which is doubly good news. All three come with excellent recommendations and positive comments which makes a change from last minute signings of the past (most of which had played for us at some time!) and will undoubtedly add further depth to a squad that has started the season so strongly.
Also in the door yesterday was Kasey Palmer who arrived on a season long loan from Bristol City. With more than 100 Championship appearances under his belt, the only downside to the move is a potential loan recall in January should Bristol City need it but if they decide they do it is probably as a result of some strong performances for us so that will be no bad thing.
These players are added to a summer spree that also included Freddie Woodman, Marc Guehi, Korey Smith, Morgan Gibbs-White, Jamal Lowe and Viktor Gykores. Ten players in and whilst Rodon wasn’t the only departure of the summer it is hard to say that none of these players have not improved the squad.
Two weeks ago, the win over Millwall that took us into the international break was tempered by some rumours that Cooper had walked – or would walk – over the departure of Peterson – a player he had barely selected since buying him. We all knew he needed backing in the transfer market and yesterday we got the evidence that he was being. We were never going to spend big – and rightly so at this point in time – but we have invested into the squad and now have one that seems to have strength in depth – something that will be needed now the fixtures start coming thick and fast.
Couple with that we still have Andre Ayew and Matt Grimes despite rumours to the contrary and a potential arrival still of Fabio Borini and this has been an excellent transfer window – credit where it is due.
