Nathaniel MG Cup final: Swansea City's Filip Lissah eyes silverware - and senior chance

Filip Lissah says he joined Swansea after leaving Chelsea because of the Welsh club's reputation for playing possession football

Filip Lissah leads Swansea City Under-21s in Saturday's Nathaniel MG Cup final believing it is a chance to stake a claim for a first-team opportunity.

Swansea's development side are in the senior competition for the first time having been given a wildcard place.

Cymru Premier leaders The New Saints stand between the young Swans and the trophy.

"It's a chance for silverware which you don't get often," said 19-year-old centre-back Lissah.

"We know it's going to be a very tough test for us, but like any other game, we are going into it feeling hopeful. We know if we play to the best of our abilities, we can challenge them."

As a professional, senior side whose only defeats this season have come in European football, The New Saints are favourites to lift the trophy at Barry Town's Jenner Park on Saturday (17:30 GMT).

The runaway Cymru Premier leaders are in contention for a quadruple this season, with a Welsh Cup quarter-final and SPFL Trust Trophy semi-final also on the horizon.

Having overcome Carmarthen Town, Caerau Ely, fellow wildcard side Cardiff City Under-21s, Briton Ferry Llansawel and Cardiff Met en route to the final, Swansea's youngsters are chasing their most notable win yet.

Filip Lissah (C) celebrates with team-mates after scoring a penalty in Swansea City Under-21s' shootout win over Cardiff Met in the Nathaniel MG Cup semi-final

"As we have gone through the tournament we have got more of an understanding of what it's like to play men's football," Lissah said.

"The players you are up against know the game, well, it's different from 21s football."

The ultimate aim for Lissah, like every other member of Anthony Wright's Swansea side, is to reach the stage where they playing men's football every week.

Captain Lissah, a ball-playing defender, is regarded as one of the brightest prospects among Swansea's current crop of youngsters.

He is one of a number of players in Wright's squad who have not come right the way through Swansea's academy.

There is a contingent of Welsh youngsters - such as Ben Lloyd, Sam Parker and Cameron Congreve - who have been at Swansea for many years, but there are others who have moved to south Wales after lengthy stints at other clubs.

Goalkeeper Remy Mitchell and Harry Jones came from Arsenal, Richard Faakye and Maliq Cadogan were previously at Crystal Palace and Charlie Veevers spent a decade with Manchester United.

From south London to south Wales

Lissah joined in 2021, when aged 16, having been released by Chelsea.

He made the move from Stamford Bridge to Swansea along with three other players, Kyrell Wilson, David Roberts - who has since left - and Zane Myers, the son of former Blues defender Andy.

Lissah, whose family background is a blend of Czech, Bajan and English, grew up in Kingston, south-west London.

He had been at Chelsea since the "age of four or five", but says he quickly put the disappointment of being released to one side having signed for Swansea.

"It was definitely difficult," he said, "but I haven't had to dwell on it that much.

"I have had great experiences here so I am happy."

Lissah turned 19 in December, yet he has had numerous opportunities to train with Swansea's senior squad - most recently this week - and has made four appearances on the first-team bench this season.

He says making it on to the pitch at that level "would mean everything".

"Hopefully the opportunities will come," Lissah added.

"I think that starts with this cup game - if you perform, people will be watching."