I’m not quite sure if England yet rates Swansea, but the rest of us love them.
What happened last season
Many, including this correspondent, weren’t sure how the Michael Laudrup would go in the hot-seat after taking over from the successful Brendan Rodgers, but the Danish legend had a great season, finishing the top half.
His biggest move came early, the bargain-purchase of Spanish attacking midfielder Michu, who delivered in a big way for his manager.
He netted 22 goals and proved he could play as a number nine, despite ostensibly being a number ten in Spain.
But, while Michu scored most of the Swans’ goals, he wasn’t the only Spanish success story, with Chico Flores a hit alongside Ashley Williams in central defence.
Meanwhile, in midfield, two more La Liga products, Pablo Hernandez and Jonathan de Guzman, the latter on loan, were outstanding.
Laudrup proved he can make more right calls than wrong ones and developed the team beyond the great work of Rodgers, so much so he even delivered Swansea’s first major trophy in the League Cup.
What happened in the off-season
Laudrup flexed his muscles, standing his ground against chairman Huw Jenkins and demanding some spending money, with the threat he might have to look elsewhere. This was the move of man with belief.
It was also the move of a manager who realised he couldn’t afford to stand still, especially with Swansea facing Europa League qualifying.
Last season Michu came off in a big way, playing most of the season, but the manager knew he needed more to push on this season.
Eventually the chairman caved in, and Laudrup appears to have used the funds very wisely, bringing in the Eredivisie’s goal-a-game golden boot Wilfried Bony, who looks set to form a formidable pairing with Michu.
As well, Laudrup has relied on his La Liga knowledge and contacts to draft three more players from there, defender Jordi Amat, defensive midfielder Jose Canas and attacking midfielder Alejandro Pozuelo.
Amat and Pozuelo have had some big wraps, and it will also be fascinating to see how Laudrup develops another of his midfield recruits, Jonjo Shelvey.
Overall, it was a very productive off-season for the Dane.
Why Swansea fans should get excited about the 2013/14 season
Most importantly, Laudrup is still at the helm and continues to build on the great work of Roberto Martinez and Rodgers before him.
He has built greater depth to deal with the potential challenge of playing in Europe and has added a world class marksmen in Bony.
The prospect of seeing him and Michu in tandem, supported by the likes of Hernandez, de Guzman, Nathan Dyer, Angel Rangel and Puzuelo is very exciting.
The chance of playing and beating Cardiff in the EPL will also excite Swans fans.
The main man to carry Swansea’s 2013/14 hopes
Michu was the man last season, but the arrival of Bony means that Michu drops into a more creative role playing in behind the Ivorian.
Obviously Michu and Bony, with their likely goals and assists, are the main men, but I’ve long been a massive de Guzman fan and am delighted to see him back.
Driving out of central midfield and linking with the front three, he tends to set the Swans tempo, and I suspect we’ll mainly see him used as a number eight this season.
Verdict – Fighting for Europe
With the potential for Europa League action, this season will be a massive test for Laudrup and his men, but he appears to have enough quality and depth to push on a number of fronts and at least finish a couple of spots higher than the 9th of last season.
Wilfried Bony has been brought in from Vitesse Arnhem to lead the line for Swansea.
Swansea City striker Miguel Michu celebrates scoring on the opening day of the 2012/13 season.
After a highly successful first season, Danish legend Michael Laudrup will again be in charge at Swansea.
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