Jamie Paterson: Attacking midfielder wants to stay with Swansea City
- Published
Jamie Paterson has scored seven goals this season
Attacking midfielder Jamie Paterson says he wants to remain with Swansea City beyond the end of the season but says his future is not in his hands.
Paterson, 32, has played 38 games for the Swans this season after an injury-hit campaign last season.
However, he is out of contract in the summer and head coach Luke Williams says he "does not know" if Paterson will be offered a new deal.
"It's quite obvious I would want to stay," Paterson told BBC Sport Wales.
"There is no reason for me to want to move away.
"I love being at this club, I have the whole time, with the new manager coming in as well, it gives you even more confidence. There would no reason for me to go elsewhere but at the same time, it's not up to me."
Paterson, who will travel to face former club Bristol City on Sunday, 10 March, says he is enjoying working with Williams, who replaced Michael Duff as Swansea boss in January.
'In terms of the future? I don't know'
Williams, previously an assistant coach at Swansea under Russell Martin, says he was instrumental in bringing Paterson to the club but says his future is currently unclear.
"I think he's a really top player who can give great moments in games, he can change the course of a game with one really smart touch or movement and he can score, he has the courage to score," Williams explained.
"I know Jamie from Bristol City. Being honest I had a big part to play in him coming here when I was here first time around.
"He's also a brilliant guy to have in your squad because of the energy he brings.
"In terms of the future? I don't know, I don't know at the moment.
"I think we are so focused on the here and now and making sure we do a really good job between now and the end of the season.
"After that we have to have a really big think, not just myself but many people, to have a think about what the squad will look like."
Paterson says he is enjoying working with Williams, who has seen results improve after a tricky start at the Swansea.com Stadium.
"When I heard the gaffer was coming in I was buzzing, everyone was, staff included," Paterson added.
"I've always maintained a good relationship with him for many years.
"When I was at Bristol City he was under-23s coach. I always loved his energy and enthusiasm… all the lads were buzzing when he came in.
"He couldn't have had a tougher start with the fixtures we had but we stuck in there."
Jamie Paterson played for Walsall, Nottingham Forest and Nottingham Forest before joining Bristol City
'I ran off like I'd won the World Cup'
Paterson is preparing for back-to-back derby games with the visit to Ashton Gate followed by Cardiff City making the 40-mile trip along the M4.
Paterson has never scored against Bristol City, who he played for between 2016 and 2021, and says he does not know how he would react should he do so on Sunday.
"It's a bit of a spicy game and it was for us as well when I played for Bristol City," he added.
"I've never scored against them since I left, so hopefully that happens this Sunday.
"I always get a bit of stick when I play them. The last game I played against Bristol City I got booed for the whole game and then they clapped me.
"I always enjoy playing there - it's another big game for us.
"What would I do if I scored? Sometimes I don't really know. I said when I left Forest for Bristol I wouldn't celebrate against them if I scored.
"I scored the winner against them two weeks later, said I wouldn't celebrate and I ran off like I'd won the World Cup. I can't tell you how I will feel in the moment."