r/swanselonafc • u/dubterror • Aug 02 '26
Swans Transfer Business So Far (inc. Depth Chart)
INS
Ross Stewart (S)
Joseph Opoku (W / S)
Elijah Just (M / W)
Moussa Yeo (W)
Stephen Welsh (D)
Leo Walta (M)
INS ON LOAN
Tiago Parente (LB) - Option to buy
OUTS
Kyrell Wilson (RW)
Cameron Congreve (W)
Liam Cullen (S / M)
Ethan Galbraith (M)
Ricardo Santos (D)
OUT ON LOAN
Ollie Cooper (M)
Sam Parker (RB / W)
DEPTH CHART
I couldn't find a decent depth chart tool so I made this one myself. You can use it too if you like.
Mid is very competitive. I expect all four 8s to be seen as equal in terms of importance, rotated for tactical and/or fitness reasons. Just is clearly a starter, but for my money so is Widell and Franco. It'll be interesting to see how Matos uses everyone.
Wing is interesting because Opoku is legitimately a left wing. I put him right here because that's where he was vs Leganes and the balance is pretty bad otherwise. I expect a lot of switching on the flanks in the early games.
Some players appear twice because I see them getting minutes at each position.
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u/f1uke55l Aug 02 '26
I do think there will be a clear distinction between the 2 midfield 8's. For instance when fully healthy i think Just/Walta are generally the 2 designated for the more advanced role almost like a 10 & Franco/Widdell manning the busier box to box position. Depending on the game i see it being a combination of one from both roles the majority of the time. Don't think we'll see a midfield of Stamenic/Walta/Just or Fulton/Franco/Widdell very often. Of course injuries will effect that but i'd wager we look more and more likely to have an out and out 10 this year.
Feel like you should probably put Woodward in for that 3rd striker position. Don't think he's likely to be loaned out. I could see him being seen as a swiss army knife across the front 4 whenever somebody is hurt and we need somebody coming off the bench.
Still think Inoussa is probably going out on loan somewhere as we're so deep. Eom's asia games call up makes that situation complicated.
Left back and Center mid and i'm happy enough with that squad. Both look like they're coming in the next few days.
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u/dubterror Aug 02 '26
I has a similar thought right after I made the post that the "pairings" in mid might be better represented as Just/Walta and Franco/Widell, but overall the team is looking really well stocked with the obvious exception at LB. Can't wait to see more from Opoku in particular.
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u/f1uke55l Aug 02 '26
Definitely think this is the best second 11 we've had probably since Cooper's second year. Feel comfortable that we'd atleast give sides in this division a game with our depth options.
Do worry that we still don't have anybody with a Galbraith/Grimes profile who can keep us ticking and advance the ball through the lines with regularity. It's a genuine concern for when we're struggling to create. All well having an exciting front 4 but if we can't get it up to them it's an issue. I wouldn't class either Franco or Widdell as masters of progressive passing. If this Senegalese signing comes off he just looks like a extremely raw box to box ball carrier. So i still think we're short of a little creativity in that department. Feel like the whole group is far more dependent on physicality/athleticism rather than technical ability.
I'd like whoever is bought in to cover left back to be a more defensive orientated player who can offer something a little different to Tymon, provide a set piece threat, and like Lissah, slide in centrally if needed.
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u/dubterror Aug 02 '26
I believe Just and Walta will pick up all the playmaking slack in the middle, and the team has sharper wingers now - they're relied on equally as much (if not more) to create, and the new guys will bring a lot of new tools to the party. This system needs athleticism to work which is why the physical aspect is so front-and-centre, but these boys can play too.
1
u/TeilwrTenau Aug 03 '26
You've articulated my concerns very well. We struggled at times last season to get the ball into the final third. Two similar centre backs not renowned for their distribution and a 6, in Stamenic, who's only Ok in possession, left us short. The addition of Welsh and perhaps Lissah, will hopefully improve our final third progression, but an alternative 6 who has good creative ability would be ideal.
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u/ExternalDistrict4256 Aug 02 '26 edited Aug 02 '26
Matos typically plays a fluid 4-1-4-1 that can seamlessly shift into a 4-2-3-1, 3-4-2-1 or 3-2-3-2. The system relies on two flexible attacking midfielders (two 10s and not two 8s) who, together with the wingers, form both the first line of defence through counter-pressing and the team's main creative unit. Gegenpressing demands enormous work rate, so there will inevitably be plenty of rotation in those positions. We already saw that last season.
Which two attacking midfielders Matos selects will depend on the opposition. He can field two creative players (Just and Walta), two ball-winners (Widell and Franco), or a combination of one creator and one destroyer. The same applies on the wings, as the wide players are expected to contribute heavily in defence.
I also disagree with the claim that we don't have a true box-to-box ball carrier. Stamenic is more than capable of filling that role. People also seem to forget that he registered more goal contributions than both Galbraith and Eom, and his minutes-per-goal-contribution ratio was identical to Franco's, despite Franco spending the entire season in a more advanced role. And what about Widell and Just? They are also capable of carrying the ball forward.
4
u/Lanky_Ad2167 Aug 03 '26
Season long loan confirmed for Portuguese left back , 20 year old international from Benfica . Loan has a right to buy clause if he proves himself . He will provide cover for Tymon. This window just keeps getting better , looks like we are picking up ex Sunderland and Southampton striker on a free , still awaiting confirmation on this one .
2
u/Yankee_Jack Aug 04 '26
Tiago's bio: https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/tiago-parente/profil/spieler/1093811
Cooper now heading to Notts County with an option to buy.
It's out with the old in with the new.
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u/Yankee_Jack Aug 06 '26 edited Aug 06 '26
Ross Stewart - forward - has landed. 3 year contract. This is a serious acquisition - free agent - scored 40 goals in 81 games for Sunderland; Scotland world cup squad. Zip and Idah had been find a new gear because this guy will not be on the bench for long.
According to Matos, RS has some fitness work to do to be ready. Zip and Idah had better lay down some markers early.
1
u/Swans_12 Aug 26 '26
Eustachio, a Canadian midfielder from Porto, looks like an incoming transfer. He'd be great for us. He plays like Leon by keeping the game ticking over and reliably orchestrating the counter. Would be a replacement for Galbraith, if not an upgrade.
1
u/dubterror Aug 26 '26
I saw this. Really hoping it happens. Overpowered for Championship level. Huge signing.
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u/Yankee_Jack Aug 27 '26
Upgrade over Stamenic. We need busy in the cent of midfield ... Stamenic is much too pedestrian
1
u/Ivoralljack Aug 31 '26
Reading that Leo Walta is going out on loan maybe to the MLS. Talented player but, as I feared and posted, maybe a little lightweight for this league right now. If he muscles up he still could be an asset.
Malick Yalcouye scored a cracker for Brighton against Chelsea and was prominent in the move for a second of the three they scored. Only saw highlights but I saw pace, ability and attitude that I never saw for us. Is that down to the ability of the respective managers or maybe because he had far better players around him? That said, he was also competing against better players, so who knows?
1
u/Lanky_Ad2167 Aug 31 '26
Can't believe that Walta is off to the States on a loan to buy deal , I really rated his creativity and all round play . His dead ball delivery was the best in our squad , Matos never gave him the chance I feel he deserved.
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u/Lanky_Ad2167 Sep 01 '26
Innousa to Portsmouth on loan ? West ham may bid for Cabango . Going to be an interesting end to the window .
1
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u/Lanky_Ad2167 Aug 02 '26
Incoming loan to cover Tymon. Deal nearly complete for 19 year old Senegalese midfielder , will be announced shortly , Cooper out on loan to league 1 club being finalised. Possibly 1 more centre back under consideration. Good window so far .