Jenkins Wants Signings To Be First Team Quality

Swansea City chairman Huw Jenkins insists the club’s Summer signings must improve the starting eleven, after admitting that a number of new arrivals last Summer didn’t make it into the first team.

Earlier, this week, we asked whether or not Spanish duo Alejandro Pozuelo and Jose Canas were a part of Monk’s future squad plans, as they’ve both barely featured under the new manager. The new man in charge even gave Jay Fulton his debut while the two Spaniards didn’t even make it to the bench.

Both Pozuelo and Canas could leave this Summer, while loanee Alvaro Vazquez was also a failed signing from Getafe.

Jordi Amat was another 2013 Summer signing by former boss Michael Laudrup, and while he hasn’t been a regular first team starter, he’s young and he could be more involved next season under Monk.

Jenkins has spoke about improving their Summer spending this year compared to last, and insists the new arrivals must be good enough to improve the first team.

Wilfried Bony and Jonjo Shelvey proved to be our best signings last year, having made a big impact – scoring a combined 31 goals in 2013/14.

‘I think a shake-up is needed – and whatever number we manage to bring in, whether it’s two, three, four or five players, they need to be first-team starters. That’s where we are at.

‘It’s all well and good having 20, 25 players in the squad, but we need to improve the starting XI – and I don’t think anybody would argue with that.

‘Some people have said we signed too many players from Spain last year, but ultimately it doesn’t matter where they come from, as long as they are good enough it will be fine.

‘I think the only thing you would say about the squad in general is that a lot of the players we brought in last year didn’t make the starting XI. The change we need to make is to ensure they are good enough.’

‘We’ll always be looking in the market for players at the right price and we’ve got to judge, whether it’s a £2million Michu or a £12million Wilfried Bony (their record signing), whether it’s right for the club at the time.

‘We’ll always weigh up those decisions and take them as they come.

‘With the new management in place, there needs to be new motivation in the squad and we all need to be going forward in a different way next year.

Huw Jenkins sounds confident that Garry Monk will bring in the right players with the right attitude to ensure another good season in the Premier League.

You get the feeling that some of Laudrup’s signings lacked the desire, passion and determination to give everything for the club – consistent qualities we’ve seen over the years that have brought the club on-going success.

Monk will want hard-working players at Swansea City who are prepared to put the effort in. Even goalkeeper Michel Vorm could leave this year as speculation suggests that Monk may be open to offers for the Dutchman, after some poor performances this season.