Some clubs just know how to operate in the transfer market. On the face of it, acquiring a good quality footballer shouldn’t be too difficult these days, given the multitude of scouting and analytical tools Premier League clubs have at their disposal these days, not to mention the riches they possess.
Nevertheless, certain teams continually strike gold when it comes to acquiring new players on the cheap and, over the last few seasons, not many clubs can boast the same transfer success as Swansea City. In the last five years, the Swans have accrued a net spend of just £2,743,000 (as per transfer league), which is the fourth-lowest among the 20 Premier League clubs.
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Despite their limited outlay, they continue to defy expectations as a club, finishing a record-high eighth in the top flight last season and they started this season well, taking a point off the champions on Saturday.
One of the Swans’ key players during the draw at Stamford Bridge was debutant Andre Ayew who joined the club on a four-year deal from Marseille on a free transfer in June.
Unlike the majority of Swansea’s recent signings, who have built their reputation while playing for the club, 25-year-old Ayew is very much an established player, having excelled at club and international level over the past eight years.
And given his profile and the fact he didn’t cost the Swans a penny, he has the potential to be the best signing of the lot, particularly if his first game is anything to go by.
The 2011 BBC African Player of the Year has been regularly linked with a move to the Premier League over the last few years and it’s not hard to see why.
The Ghanaian is an extremely accomplished footballer and is able to fulfil a number of different roles on the pitch, which Garry Monk alluded to when the signing was announced.
“He will add quality, experience and versatility – which I like – to the squad. The fans should be really excited about seeing him play,” the Swans boss said upon Ayew’s arrival, as per Wales Online.
It’s hard to disagree with Monk as a glance at Ayew’s profile reveals he possesses all three of those attributes in abundance.
Against Chelsea he lined up on the right side of their attacking midfield – a position which is by no means his most natural – yet he still had a big influence on proceedings, scoring the first-half equaliser.
His goal demonstrated that he can be an extremely effective finisher, but also gave a glimpse of his excellent technique and composure, as he dragged the ball away from the Chelsea defender before calmly dispatching the ball to Thibaut Courtois’ left.
Source: squawka.com