The Mastermind brings you an exclusive guide to every single Premier League team going into the highly anticipated 2017-18 season. From lineups, to transfers to the wackiest of predictions, The Mastermind has you covered. Here is your guide to a club slowly trying to build up their reputation again and steer clear of the relegation zone another season, Swansea City. 

SWANSEA CITY

INTRODUCTION 

Last season was a torrid time for Swansea City. The club went through three different managers and only avoided relegation in the second last week of the season. They lost 21 of 38 matches and conceded 70 goals. This season it might be more of the same but there is no reason why relegation should be their fate. Gylfi Sigurdsson’s departure to Everton FC last week might be just about the worst thing that could have happened for the club going into 2017-18, but it was bound to happen and the Welsh side look well-prepared to cope with his absence. Several players could be prepared to step up in his absence and with Paul Clement, a former Bayern Munich coach, in charge there should not be anything to worry about for the Swans going into the next Premier League season. Kyle Naughton remains a very good right-back, Fernando Llorente has fantastic ability not only aerially but also with the ball at his feet and Chelsea loanee Tammy Abraham could be prepared to step up to the plate with more regular playing time this season. Swansea may be in the fight against relegation all season but the most likely scenario is that they will have enough firepower to avoid the drop.

PREDICTED STARTING XI 

Swansea’s 2017-18 Premier League XI might be very close to the one that helped them avoid the drop at the tail-end of the 2016-17 season. Lukasz Fabianski will definitely remain in goal despite a bit of rocky 2016-17 campaign while Swansea’s back-four should certainly remain the same given their role in helping Swansea avoid the drop. Roque Mesa will be one of the key changes to Clement’s side this season and could be a difference maker in defensive midfield. The Spaniard arrived from Las Palmas for a fee of 11 million pounds in July and is expected to suit the Swansea style to perfection. Leroy Fer and Tom Carroll will remain good options in midfield while a bit of a breakthrough season is expected for Tammy Abraham, the Chelsea loanee who impressed greatly in the Championship last season for Bristol City. Fernando Llorente and Jordan Ayew should be the two that start up top alongside the young man but injuries could also see Wayne Routledge or Luciano Narsingh re-enter the side.

KEY PLAYER: FERNANDO LLORENTE

Swansea’s entire back-line will be incredibly key to their success if they are to survive this season and any one of them could fill this slot. But Fernando Llorente’s goals, presence in the air and experience playing this game should prove to make him Swansea’s key outfielder this season. The Spanish striker scored 15 goals in 33 matches last season, an impressive showing in his first season at the club. He’s currently out injured and the other forwards at the club will need to step up to his absence but when he is to make his return, Llorente will be immense to Swansea City’s success this season.

BREAKTHROUGH PLAYER: TAMMY ABRAHAM

Tammy Abraham scored 26 goals in 48 appearances across all competitions last season for Bristol City, being named their Player and Young Player of the Season. The 19-year old forward is so incredibly pacey and skillful but also has a significant amount to offer given his height, 6’4. Beyond Bristol City, Abraham has further experiences playing for England’s youth teams and across three different divisions has scored 10 goals in 28 games, including most recently at the U-21 European Championships in Poland. A versatile player with a good head on his shoulders, Tammy Abraham could be set for a breakthrough season even if he is still yet to turn the tender age of 20.

TRANSFER TALK

The price may be insane and severely overblown, but Gylfi Sigurdsson has left Swansea City. The 50 million-pound man was Swansea’s most instrumental player in both of the previous two seasons and the club will miss everything he brought to the club, most notably his prowess at producing magnificent moments from set-pieces. Beyond Sigurdsson, the club have also let go of Bafetimbi Gomis, Jack Cork and Modou Barrow, each of whom have had their moments in shaping Swansea’s success.

On the plus side, Tammy Abraham looks like he could be one of the best loan signings of the summer despite only being 19, while big things are also expected of pass-master Roque Mesa. Beyond that the club haven’t done too much of note but do not expect it to be a quiet final few weeks to the transfer window for Swansea City as they could seriously start to splash that Sigurdsson cash in the upcoming days and weeks.

OTHER PREDICTIONS

• Lukasz Fabianski will have one of the worst saves per goals conceded records in the league.
• Roque Mesa will be a regular in Clement’s lineup but will not make the necessary impact.
• Fernando Llorente will be the club’s top scorer with 14 goals.
• Swedish defender Martin Olsson will score more than 5 goals. Alfie Mawson will also make an impact in that department from centre back.
• Paul Clement will not be sacked.

PREDICTED FINISH: 17TH 

They may have lost their key man but there is no reason to believe that this will be another season of strife and stress for Swansea City. Gylfi Sigurdsson’s departure to Everton FC last week might be just about the worst thing that could have happened for the club going into 2017-18, but it was bound to happen and the Welsh side look well-prepared to cope with his absence. Several players could be prepared to step up in his absence and with Paul Clement, a former Bayern Munich coach, in charge there should not be anything to worry about for the Swans going into the next Premier League season. Kyle Naughton remains a very good right-back, Fernando Llorente has fantastic ability not only aerially but also with the ball at his feet and Chelsea loanee Tammy Abraham could be prepared to step up to the plate with more regular playing time this season. Swansea may be in the fight against relegation all season but the most likely scenario is that they will have enough firepower to avoid the drop, even if only narrowly.

SWANSEA CITY