The usual circulation of stories and links to players started some weeks ago, and the more financially healthy clubs are already signing those players now with a view to joining them come the start of the summer window. ( June 10th )
Swansea City are not making any moves until the future becomes far clearer, not least a change in the person who makes those decisions with Paul Watson currently at Luton key to that. For now head coach, Russell Martin has been asked to look at what he has rather than what he wants to bolster his squad for next season. The Swans under 23 squad has some players who are either ready to step up, or indeed step out. During conversations this weekend we have been told any acquisitions agreed or required will only come after the whole of the clubs playing staff are upgraded by year group - and the first team squad considered with ‘with what we have’ not what we want.
Wasiri Williams is one player who fits that mould, now at Dundalk on loan he was sent off in his last game against Derry City in a fiercely competitive game. Now twenty three and with his contract concluding at the end of June, Wasiri, known as Ola’ is again at a career crossroads. Having said that the Swans do have a one year option on him. He will remain at Dundalk right up until his contract expires unless Swansea take up that one year option. He is described as exceptionally quick and physical and would be seen as back up to the current options of Harry Darling, Nathan Wood and Ben Cabango. That’s one decision that rests with Russell Martin.
Much of the current under 21 side are young, however Josh Thomas ( below ) is seen as a player Russell Martin could name in his first team squad next season. He is being encouraged to look at the likes of Thomas who has been at the Swans for nine years since he was twelve.He has found his goal scoring feet in recent times as well. The Bridgend born player has a contract which runs until 2024 and is considered one player who could make the grade along with Cameron Congreve from Blaenau Gwent, who again came off the bench at Hull on Saturday, and the week before at Norwich. He most certainly has earned his place in the Swans squad for the next campaign, however would a good loan fit more at this point ? He could be at the club until the end of the 2025/26 season.
Another Whittaker who will cause Russell Martin a headache or two is Tarrelle Whittaker, he is on loan at Wealdstone and isn’t featuring for the first team that much. There is an option to buy for Wealdstone, and it’s pretty clear as it stands Tarrelle could move on, but he was finding the net before he left the Swans. It isn’t just about who stays it’s a lot about who goes as well. Those decisions are the first ones that Russell Martin and his coaching team needs to make before he even thinks about recruitment. The majority ownership want a severe decision making process on who stays and who goes before the relentless task of recruitment from the outside begins. Yes we are told there are three agreed players who the Swans want to bring in, but they want any new recruitment specialist to also have an input into that.
As we said there will be numerous links and many moments of speculation, but as it stands and as you all probably can guess no moves have been made - and that includes official contact with any club or player. The real conundrum isn’t Morgan Whittaker who is likely to leave the Swans this summer but Kyle Joseph who scored again for Oxford United this weekend. He has been on loan at the U’s this season and has found the net and progressed well.
Kyle Joseph interview below.
Kyle has bags of ability and is expected to make his way in to the first team squad next season. That is if he isn’t one of those that is chosen to leave by Russell Martin. His contract expires in June 2025, so unless a decent offer is made it is unlikely. Another loan move would be a poor decision surely after two already ? Surely if the Swans are looking to within to bolster next seasons squad then Kyle Joseph should be a part of it ?