Swansea City dipped into the summer transfer market for the second time earlier this week with the capture of centre-half Jordi Amat from Espanyol. The 21-year-old signs up at the Liberty on a four-year deal for a fee in the region of £2.5m and joins compatriot Jose Canas at the club, as Michael Laudrup continues to raid the Spanish top-flight following the success of Michu, Chico and Jonathan de Guzman last time around.
In an interview with the club’s official website, Amat – who is believed to have turned down a number of offers in order to sign up at the Liberty – cited the club’s possession-based playing style as key to his decision:
“I watched Swansea last season – what the club achieved was incredible. To finish in the top half of the Premier League and win a trophy too is a massive achievement. In Spain, Swansea are very famous now. They talk a lot about the club and how they have become a successful team in the Premier League with an attractive style of play. So to be a part of the team is a big moment for me. The club has a great set-up – the stadium is lovely and I know it’s full every game, and I can’t wait to run out in front of the supporters for the first time.”
The History
A product of the Espanyol youth system, Amat’s career began with the club’s B team in the Spanish third division back in 2009-10. After making 17 appearances he was fast-tracked to the first-team towards the end of the season and featured six times. The following campaign saw the centre-half nail down a regular role, turning out on 26 occasions, but he fell out of favour in 2011/12 and featured in just nine league games.
Farmed out on loan to Michu’s old club Rayo Vallecano last year, Amat scored once in 27 La Liga matches – footage of his 50-yard wonder strike is doing the rounds – and helping his side to an eighth place finish. The centre-half has turned out for his country at every level from Under 16 to Under 21 and was part of the Spain side that finished third at the Under 17 World Cup in 2009 along with the likes of United’s David De Gea.
The Prospects
The Swans Capital One Cup success and subsequent Europa League duties means Laudrup requires a greater depth to his squad next time round. With a more demanding schedule to contend with, it remains to be seen whether Amat has been purchased as a back-up to Chico and Ashley Williams in the heart of the back-four, with the possibility of game time only arriving through rest and rotation – although the latter missed just one league game all season, Chico was sidelined for 12 league matches through injury, with Laudrup forced to hand Garry Monk 10 starts as a result.
There’s no doubt that Williams’ future will play a major part in Amat’s prospects for the season ahead. With Liverpool and Arsenal continuing to be linked with a move for his services, the former’s possible departure would be a huge boost for the new boy’s prospects, though it would be a big call from Laudrup to let Williams go without further adding to his backline, given Amat’s relative youth and Chico’s propensity for picking up injury.
In spite of the silverware and ninth place finish in Laudrup’s debut season at the helm, Swansea failed to replicate the defensive consistency produced under Brendan Rodgers in 2011/12. Although they conceded the same number of goals overall (51), the clean sheets dropped from 14 down to nine and with their opponents scoring more than once in eight of the last 10 Gameweeks, the Welsh outfit tailed off significantly after their top-flight safety was secured somewhat earlier than anticipated.
Given their defensive record, Swansea’s main defensive assets are likely to be priced around the 5.0 mark once again in Fantasy Premier League (FPL). Laudrup’s occasional use of Angel Rangel on the right of midfield is likely to ensure the Spaniard remains the most appealing defensive option and although there’s hope that Neil Taylor will come in at 4.5 after missing most of the season through injury, there’s every chance Laudrup could rotate him and Ben Davies at left-back, thus negating both their Fantasy potential. With Michel Vorm set to drop from last year’s 5.5, there are other more appealing options that Amat at the Liberty right now – an initial price of 4.5, followed by a move away for Williams, seems to be his only way of turning our heads.
Certainly, the opening few fixtures give us time to assess the situation from afar. With Laudrup’s side set to face United, Spurs, Liverpool and Arsenal in the first six Gameweeks, few will fancy their chances of defensive returns, with only trips to West Brom and Palace offering any appeal. From Gameweek 8 onwards, though, the schedule brightens considerably and many will be looking to invest in the Welsh outfit ahead of a run of five home games (SUN, WHM STO, NEW, HUL) and a trip to Cardiff in the following eight – by then, Amat’s prospects and Laudrup’s possible rotation intentions will hopefully be a little clearer and allow us to make our trades with a greater degree of certainty.
