Gaffer Confirms Transfer Involvement

Paul Clement has confirmed that he has a full say in transfers in and out of the Liberty Stadium after comments from Landon Donovan earlier in the week could have been construed as him having no say with the policy dictated by the board.

It has long since been believed that the manager is just given players that the Chairman wants to sign but Clement says that is not the case at all and there could be nothing worse for him if that was the case.

Since Clement's arrival back in January we have seen key arrivals at the Liberty including Jordan Ayew, Tom Carroll, Martin Olsson, Roque Mesa and this week Sam Clucas with all expected to feature somewhere around the matchday squad today at Crystal Palace.

And the manager was happy to confirm that he has an involvement in these dealings when he said: "I like to be involved."

He added: "It is very important the club and myself work together on identifying and recruiting the right target.

"There is nothing worse than when - and this has not happened here, but in other situations - a player just arrives and it is a case of 'there you go, here he is'.

"It can be great and you think it's a fantastic unexpected signing, or it can be a feeling that you don't want him.

"The last window I was an influence on Martin Olsson because I had worked with him before, the others were a bit more advanced, but I had to make sure I was comfortable with all of them and I did my research.

"This time we have had more time to do that due diligence

"It's the worst possible situation, if a player arrives and you feel he is not the right fit and not the position you wanted.

"It's bad for the coach, the team and the player.

"But we are not in that situation here, we are talking all the time. Myself, the chairman, the owners, about what I think we need. There is open dialogue and open communication."

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