Ahead of today's clash in Wales, Oli from 'OnlySwans' has given a rundown of Swansea's four key players this season.
MATT GRIMES
Swansea’s captain and key man, Matt Grimes, is a joy to watch. A fantastic holding midfielder, all key passages of Swansea play go through the Englishman. Always willing to show up for the ball, he always manages to look as if he has all the time in the world on the ball. A mainstay for Swansea, this season has also seen him take more shots, meaning he has already scored two goals already. A Premier League player playing in the Championship, restricting Grimes is a non-negotiable for anyone who wishes to beat this Swansea side.
JOSH KEY
While Matt Grimes is undoubtedly Swansea’s key man, another former Exeter man has been making a name for himself in SA1 so far this season. Josh Key will bring real energy and versatility, provided he is fit and available for this fixture. Key, a player with a superb engine, is a typical all-action wingback. Slightly suspect defensively, going forward Key will not allow the opposing full back to rest and is also willing to take a man on 1v1 and his pace, meaning he quite often has the edge. He has missed Swansea’s last two matches, but if he is fit, he will surely go straight back into the team.
HARRY DARLING
This is Harry Darling’s second season in Swansea City colours. Signed in 2022 as the solution to Swansea’s defensive problems, that was not exactly what transpired last season. However, if last season was a period of adaptation for Darling, then this season he looks at home. A mainstay in the Swansea backline, the young centre back is composed on the ball and diligent in his defensive duties. His efficiency in the air has been a key reason for his improvement this season. Another element of his game to watch out for is his threat to attack set pieces. Very often, Swansea set-piece routines will have the intended outcome of a Darling-headed goal, and his prowess in this area helped him notch four goals last term, even in a tough debut campaign at this level.
JAMIE PATERSON
Jamie Paterson, a name familiar to those who have watched this level for many years, has had something of a nomadic career, with his talent often being obvious along the way. At Swansea, he started like a house on fire. However, a dismal campaign last season saw him as surplus to requirements going into this summer. Since then, Paterson has gotten his head down and worked hard to remind the Swansea faithful what he can do. Creative and a real live wire in midfield, Paterson can provide the spark of quality key to winning any football match. He has also proven himself to be a hard worker on the pitch, digging in and playing a key role in a dogged midfield trio of himself, the aforementioned Grimes, and the ubertalented young Arsenal loanee Charlie Patino.
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