And it's on!
Right from the start the new boss, Gaffer, tried to overhaul the team. A lot of new faces were linked with the welsh club, but finances weren't the best, the pockets weren't the deepest, and so the most valuable targets had to be forgotten.
After a stressing August, the frenetic transfer window and the wage payments the final balance was a whopping 15 million pounds. Below zero, that is. Gaffer took the matter into his own hands and promptly revealed the numbers behind the signings.
The tops target lined up since the beginning were a goalkeeper (Jack Butland), a central defender (Joe Gomez or John Stones were imperative, even better if both of them), a creative, charismatic midfielder that could play multiple roles (Will Hughes) and a defensive midfielder that was not only strong, but also good in the passing department (Eric Dier), a fast and technical winger (Wilfried Zaha) and a young starlet for the striker position (Saido Berahino or Marcus Rashford). Looking back all the main targets were brought in, even if Butland or Dier demanded financial sacrifices from the club.
Said sacrifices reduced the already exceedingly small chances of landing Jack Wilshere, Ross Barkley, Jordon Ibe or Raheem Sterling. Even lower profile targets like Jack Grealish or Cameron Humphreys had to be put on hold due to the lack of money.
Other relevant signings include Danny Ings (for a lower fee than previously thought, Liverpool were keen on letting the former Burnley striker leave), Bamidele Alli (who was being relegated to the bench and joined Swansea in the very last day of the transfer window, after not playing a single minute in the previous 3 matches), Josh McEachran on a £4mill + part exchange deal (a much commented one, given the exorbitant values of the transfer) and the all-in made with James Ward-Prowse, joining Swansea after fan favourite Gilfy Sigurdsson went the opposite way. Gaffer was targeted immediately for his decision and many started to lose faith in the new manager.
Such a change of the team's players, with only Leon Britton staying as a recurrent player from earlier squad, took its toll right from the beginning.
5 points in 6 games were not enough and Gaffer's head was inches away from being served to the angry fans on a silver platter. And as Murphy's law states,
anything that can go wrong, will go wrong. Swansea saw themselves out of the FA Cup in round 2 after a shocking loss to Manchester United. Not because Man United are shit, it's just the numbers of the game didn't match the score at all.
But the night is darkest right before the dawn, and the following week Swansea starting their climbing through the league places. Defence was still an issue, with 1.2 goals conceded per game, and by matchweek 19 the welsh club were one of the worst defences in the entire league, despite being in a surprising 1st place.
Title contenders Crystal Palace found themselves in second place after being first for months. Strikers Loic Remy and Christian Benteke shared the honours of league top scorers when January arrived, with 12 goals each.
The winter transfer window was much calmer than the summer's, with some clinical targets pointed by Gaffer approached since November. Biggest signing was long term target Jack Grealish, who was trilled to join the Swans.
To fund this transfer Gaffer parted ways with Danny Ings. Despite not being a complete flop the english striker didn't fit in well in Gaffer's gameplan, and his wages were too high for his numbers. Davies followed Ings after requesting a transfer, probably due to the scarce playing time he was getting.
Adebayor, Rúben Micael and Lima joined on a free transfer.
2016 was a good year for the welsh club. The attack was flowing, Zach Clough found his form and Marcus Rashford scored every time he stepped on the pitch. Will Hughes pushed the team forward and Joe Gomez was unplayable out back. Even Matt Macey impressed and hit the two digits in games played. Some real treats to the home fans along the way, as well.
The final game arrived... against one of the teams Swansea were yet to beat: Chelsea. And to make the matters worse, Man City were tied with the Swans in 1st place, with only goal difference capable of splitting them. Also this game would reveal the league's top scorer: bearded striker Zach Clough or pseudo-spanish Diego Costa?
As expected...
The game ended 2-1, with goals from both Costa and Clough to give the young englishman the award. Man City failed to keep pressure on the welsh and lost their game, leaving Swansea with 3 more points and plenty to celebrate.
Amidst all the good, sad news hit the team. Leon Britton, vice captain, announced his retirement at the end of the season, at the age of 33.
To follow: the players. And as requested, [MENTION=228218]Silver Surfer[/MENTION]
Like a Norwegian Bernardo Silva. Those physical attributes are amazingly high, given how low they were to begin with.
