Earlier this week, Andre Ayew became Swansea’s first acquisition of the summer, signing a four-year deal on a free transfer from Marseille. The Swans fended off competition from West Ham United to land the much sought-after Ghanaian international, as Garry Monk strengthened his options in the final third of the pitch.
In his first interview since signing, Ayew revealed that Bafetimbi Gomis played a big part in convincing him to favour the Welsh club:
“It’s true that I had a lot of offers, so I needed to take my time to make the right decision for my future. I didn’t want to rush but I feel I have made the right decision. I spoke to Bafe, who really wanted me to come here. He told me about the club’s record season and also about the team spirit, manager, training, the players and how everyone is united. Those are great things for me to hear. I know the squad will help me settle in and we will help each other to make Swansea a better team – that’s what is important.”
The History
Ayew’s youth career started at Ghanaian club Nania, where he trained at the academy between the ages of 10 and 14. The Swans’ new boy then played two seasons for the senior team, before joining Ligue 1 club Marseille on a trainee contract. After netting 11 goals during the U17s 2006/07 campaign, Ayew was rewarded with a three-year professional contract.
While Ayew failed to score in nine league outings during his debut campaign with Les Phocéens, he impressed enough to reportedly attract interest from Arsenal. The fleet-footed youngster was sent on successful loan deals to Lorient (three goals and one assist) and Arles-Avignon (four goals and three assists) in the next two seasons, which convinced Didier Deschamps to afford Ayew a starting berth for the 2010/11 campaign.
He was voted as Marseille’s best player in his breakout season, having tallied 11 goals and four assists in 37 league ties. Ayew established himself as a regular starter over the next four campaigns, ending his spell at the French club with 60 goals and 25 assists in 207 appearances in all competitions, and two league cup winners medals to his name.
Despite possessing dual citizenship and playing for the France U21s, Ayew chose to represent Ghana at the full international level. He captained the U21s when they triumphed at the African Youth Championship and the 2009 U20 World Cup.
Ayew was first called up to the senior squad in 2007 and has since gone on to feature in two World Cups and four African Cup of Nation tournaments. He was honoured as the Ghana Player of the Year in 2011 and scored twice in three matches at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Still aged just 25, he has amassed 11 goals and six assists in 63 outings for the national side.
The Prospects
The adaptable Ayew affords Monk the option to change up his formations with greater confidence next term – a factor the Swans boss was keen to point out when offering his thoughts on the new arrival:
“He will add quality, experience and versatility – which I like – to the squad. The fans should be really excited about seeing him play. When I spoke to him recently he was very football motivated and felt Swansea was the right club for him at the moment to develop his game and progress his career. We also felt he was the right fit for this club, so both parties are more than happy.’’
As a left-footer who primarily operates on the left wing, Ayew would naturally fit into the Swans’ default 4-2-3-1 set-up, placing question marks over the pitch time of the likes of Wayne Routledge and Jefferson Montero.
Indeed, given that Routledge, Montero and Nathan Dyer combined for just seven league goals last term, Monk’s need for greater threat from the flanks is obvious. Aside from besting that goal output, Ayew boasts a far superior goal conversion rate (18.3%) to Routledge (9.7%), Dyer (17.6%) and Montero (7.7%), bolstering his chances of a starting role next season.
He could also excel in the midfield diamond Monk employed at times during the second half of last season, harnessing his searing pace from left midfield to launch swift counter-attacks. Alternatively, Ayew’s finishing prowess (10 goals in 27 matches last season) may even convince Monk to field him alongside Gomis up front in the latter system – a tactic he employed with Routledge last term and one which would bring him immediately onto our radars.
Although Ayew’s versatility allows him to function from a central support role, Gylfi Sigurdsson’s displays will surely keep him in pole position as the Welsh club’s chief creator whenever Monk rolls out a 4-2-3-1. Up front, Ayew – at a height of five foot nine – certainly lacks the stature of Gomis or predecessor Wilfried Bony to lead the line as a lone striker, suggesting that Gomis’ starting berth is likely to remain intact.
Given his attacking potential, Ayew may well be pitched around the 7.0-7.5 mark on the Fantasy Premier League market, which would put him in the same ballpark as Sigurdsson in midfield and Gomis up front. Immediately, he offers an alternative to both for those considering backing Monk’s side in attacking quarters.
With eight goals to his name last term, Ki Sung-Yeung could also come into consideration if reasonably priced, though having started just one of the final three matches he was available for, it remains to be seen if the Korean will be an automatic pick next time around. Similarly, Jonjo Shelvey’s progress in the Swans’ midfield may also warrant interest, although Ayew, with his proven goal threat, could well emerge as the clear weapon of choice should he earn midfield classification and hit the ground running.
