Three players Swansea should target during the January transfer window

By Martyn Cooke

For Swansea City, the 2016/17 season has been an utter disaster – there is genuinely no more accurate description.

In the summer they sold their influential Captain and best defender, Ashley Williams, to Everton and failed to secure a suitable replacement. They have already appointed and then dismissed two managers in the space of four months. The club sit second from bottom in the Premier League table, only missing out on the unwanted accolade of propping up the entire division over Christmas due to goal difference, and have won just three of their eighteen fixtures so far. The Swans have also conceded more goals than any other team (41) which suggests that on average they will let in a minimum of two strikes in each game they play.

No manager. A group of players that are definitively short of quality. A leaky defence. An inability to win matches. Things do not look great for Swansea at the moment – but there is still time to turn the tide.

In order to secure survival, Swansea need to do two key things before the end of January. The first, is to bring in an effective, proven manager that will re-enthuse the playing squad and make the side harder to beat. The second, is to make significant investment in the transfer market on personnel that possess the quality and character to drag the club away from the relegation zone.

Here, we look at three signings that The Swans should make when the transfer window re-opens.

Fabian Delph

Swansea need to re-energise and re-mould their midfield if they are to become more competitive, especially in central areas. Gylfi Sigurdsson is undoubtedly their star player, operating in an attacking midfield role, but the Icelandic international requires better support, service and cover from his colleagues in order to maximise his ability. At 34-years-of-age, Leon Britton is waning whilst Leroy Fer and Jack Cork certainly require an upgrade.

Fabian Delph would fit the bill. The Manchester City midfielder has fallen down the pecking order at the Etihad Stadium under the new management of Pep Guardiola and has only made three appearances for the first team so far this season. The former Aston Villa player is desperately in need of game time and his all-action, energetic style, would re-enthuse the Swansea City team. The 27-year-old is mobile, tenacious in his defensive duties, and possesses wonderful technical ability that would  provide a significant boost for The Swans both offensively and defensively. He offers plenty of experience and has been through the ring of emotions that come with a relegation battle whilst playing for Aston Villa and Leeds United.

Delph is unlikely to fancy a permanent move to South Wales at this stage, but a loan deal would certainly suit all parties involved.