Swansea City

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Luke Williams believes Azeem Abdulai will get a chance to prove himself in a central midfield role following his move to Leyton Orient.

Abdulai, 22, has joined the League One play-off hopefuls for an undisclosed fee, ending a three-and-a-half-year spell at Swansea.

He made 31 appearances for the Swans – though only two of those were league starts – and scored two goals.

Abdulai was used primarily in a wide role rather than his favoured central position by Williams, who says it was wrong to stand in the Scotland Under-21 international's way after Orient came calling.

"I think he will play more probably as a box-to-box midfield player there," said the Swansea head coach.

"I am sure he will do really well. There were just too many obstacles in the way for him [in that position] here.

"He did a good job in the wide positions for us but he's not exactly the perfect fit. When a player has the urge to go and a club comes in and gives him that opportunity, it's difficult to keep the player in a good place, so it was the right thing to do."

Abdulai's departure is unlikely to make a huge difference to Swansea's plans for incoming transfers during this window given that the fee involved is understood to be small and he was not one of the club's major earners.

"This is a great chance for him to further his career," Williams added.

"I think everyone is happy with that and we wish him really well."

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Luke Williams says Swansea City are considering a move for former Manchester United defender Timothy Fosu-Mensah.

Fosu-Mensah is looking for a new club having been a free agent since leaving Bayer Leverkusen.

The 27-year-old endured in an injury-hit spell in Germany, with his last appearance coming back in April 2023, and has reportedly been offered to a host of Championship clubs this month.

Fosu-Mensah has been capped at senior level by The Netherlands, but has managed only 97 club appearances in a senior career which began at Old Trafford.

The right-back or centre-back played 30 times for United, while he also had loan spells with Crystal Palace and Fulham before moving to Bayer Leverkusen in 2021.

"We are looking at that player and trying to work out where we are and where he is so we'll see," said Swansea head coach Williams.

"We are trying to find players we think can push us forward to the next level."

Williams is keen to sign three players during the mid-season transfer window, but Swansea have so far failed to get a deal over the line.

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Steven Caulker says it is a "shame" to see Swansea City "drifting away" from the Championship play-offs - but says he does not expect his former club to be sucked into a relegation scrap.

The Swans followed last weekend's 3-0 south Wales derby defeat at Cardiff City with a 2-1 loss at Sheffield United on Tuesday, though they delivered a much-improved performance against the Blades despite losing Harry Darling to a 50th-minute red card.

"It's no win in the last four [league] games for Swansea. I'm not concerned in the sense that they're sitting mid-table, they're not going to be in a relegation battle, not from what I can see," Caulker told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast.

"But they have drifted away from the play-offs and that's a shame because for me Swansea and Cardiff are two teams that, at the very least, should be competing in and around the play-offs

"They're two teams that have been in the Premier League and got Premier League experience and the fans, of course, want to see them back there."

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Luke Williams suggested Swansea City will appeal against the red card shown to Harry Darling in Tuesday's 2-1 Championship defeat to Sheffield United.

Darling is facing a three-match suspension after being sent off for a challenge on Blades forward Rhian Brewster.

But Williams felt referee Dean Whitestone was wrong to dismiss his centre-back.

"I think we appeal for sure - but I have seen clear mistakes not be rescinded, so I don't hold out much hope for that," the Swansea head coach said.

"I think the best thing to do is to watch it again several times and get the best angles, but it seems strange.

"It's not deliberate, it doesn't seem to be reckless with both feet off the ground so there's no way of anchoring yourself or slowing yourself down.

"[He is] trying to play the ball and the ball is shifted in the last minute. It's maybe a yellow card I think."

Unless Swansea are successful in an appeal, Darling – who has been one of Williams' top performers this season – will miss trips to Norwich City and Bristol City and a home game against Coventry City.

That would be a heavy blow given the shortage of options within Williams' squad.

Swansea have been looking to sign a central defender this month, with Wycombe's Joe Low among their targets, but have not yet got close to completing a deal.

Williams' side have taken only one point from their past four league games after the United defeat, though they delivered a much-improved performance against the Blades.

Swansea went in front after just seven minutes through Florian Bianchini's header only for Rhian Brewster to equalise early in the second period.

Darling saw red three minutes later and, despite a spirited Swansea performance, United took the points thanks to a Harrison Burrows penalty.

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Swansea City are set to benefit after former striker Kyle Joseph completed a move from Blackpool to Hull City.

Joseph has joined the Tigers for an undisclosed fee which is reported to be in the region of £2.5m.

The Scot returns to the Championship having left Swansea for Blackpool in July 2023, with Jerry Yates moving in the opposite direction at that time.

The deal which took Joseph to Blackpool valued the former Wigan Athletic player at about £500,000, but also included a sell-on clause.

As a result, Swansea are expected to receive a percentage of the profit made on Joseph by Blackpool following his switch to Hull.

Joseph, 23, scored 10 goals in 66 appearances for the Seasiders, with eight of those strikes coming this season.

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Luke Williams says Swansea City must "regroup and respond really quickly" after their south Wales derby humbling at Cardiff City.

Swansea are back in Championship action when Sheffield United visit the Swansea.com Stadium on Tuesday (19:45 GMT).

A meeting with the high-flying Blades would be a stern challenge at the best of times, but it looks even more daunting on the back of Swansea's demoralising defeat by their neighbours.

Swansea competed with Cardiff in the opening third of Saturday's game, but the Bluebirds seized the initiative before the break and blew Williams' side away in the second period.

"We have to bounce back," Swansea's head coach said.

"We have to show some fight and determination.

"You can't put [defeat in the derby] right. The only way you can do that is by winning the next one. But we have to have a reaction in the next league game, that's for sure."

Swansea's form has slumped since back-to-back home wins over Christmas left them within four points of the Championship play-off places.

They are only seven points adrift of sixth now, but have looked nothing like a potential play-off team in comprehensive January defeats at Cardiff and Portsmouth.

Joe Allen's stoppage-time goal saw the Swans salvage a point in their last home game, against West Brom earlier this month, but they are in need of a lift as they prepare to face Chris Wilder's second-placed United side.

"They are an incredible team so we have to recover very quickly and try to make a good performance if we are to have any chance," Williams added.

"You are going to lose games, but I think it's the manner that you lose the game. We have to respond really well now."

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Swansea City chairman Andy Coleman says they aim to only sign in the transfer window players "who will genuinely improve our first team".

His statement came in the wake of a chastening 3-0 south Wales derby defeat in the Championship at Cardiff City last weekend.

In the programme for Tuesday's visit of Sheffield United to Swansea.com Stadium Coleman writes: "As we navigate the January transfer window, I want to acknowledge the challenges it presents.

"Every club is looking to strengthen their squad, but at the same time, no club wants to lose key players. This makes it a very difficult window to navigate and get right.

"We only want to sign players who will genuinely improve our first team, which means we have to be absolutely sure about the targets we are pursuing.

"Rest assured, we are working diligently to try and make the best decisions for the team and the club's future."

Coleman also backed Luke Williams' side to bounce back from defeat by the Bluebirds.

"It is in these challenging moments that our true character is revealed, and I have every confidence that our team will respond with determination," Coleman states.

"Our focus now is on recovering and demonstrating the resilience that has defined our season so far.

"Sheffield United will present a tough challenge, but I believe in our players and coaching staff to rise to the occasion and deliver a performance that makes us all proud."

Gareth Vincent
BBC Sport Wales

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Luke Williams' scouting trip to The Netherlands did not happen because the player he had been hoping to watch was not playing.

Swansea City boss Williams revealed last week that two visits to the continent to assess potential signings were planned this week.

Williams was due to watch a centre-back playing for a Dutch club on Sunday, but did not travel because word came through that the player in question would not be involved.

Wycombe's Joe Low is one of Swansea's defensive targets, but a deal for the Wales international looks unlikely this month with the two clubs so far unable to agree on his valuation.

Swansea have been linked with various others, including Aston Villa's Lamare Bogarde, Burnley's Hannes Delcroix and Osaze Urhoghide, who has had spells at Celtic, Sheffield Wednesday and AFC Wimbledon, but is currently playing in the French second tier for Amiens.

Wolves midfielder Luke Cundle (pictured above), who played for Swansea on loan in 2022-23, is thought to be on the Welsh club's list of attacking midfield targets this month, while Barnsley's Adam Phillips and Alex Gilbert, of Middlesbrough, have also been touted as potential signings.

However, there is little indication that Swansea are close to getting a deal over the line, meaning the same players who were humbled at Cardiff City on Saturday must go again against Sheffield United on Tuesday.

The Blades, by contrast, have sealed a loan deal for Ben Brereton Diaz in time for the Chile international forward to feature at Swansea.com Stadium.

As Luke Williams and his players lick their wounds after Cardiff, that is not the sort of transfer news they wanted to hear.

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Luke Williams hopes Swansea City can bolster their squad in the January transfer window as the head coach looks for additions that can make the team a "much better group".

The Swans had aspirations of reaching the Championship play-offs this season but were well and truly humbled by neighbours Cardiff City in the south Wales derby.

The 3-0 defeat to the Bluebirds means Swansea are winless in five matches across all competitions.

Despite having limited options in certain areas of his squad, head coach Williams admits Swansea should only recruit new players this month if they improve the squad.

"I think it would be great if we can get some reinforcements, but reinforcements of the right calibre," said the Swans boss.

"We need players that are going to improve the squad. We don't need to stockpile players, I'm not interested in people coming here just to be a part of a squad and not improve us. It's pointless.

"People need to come here and make us a much better group.

"Players that are replaced on the pitch by new signings, they need to then get up to that level.

"They need to see what we're bringing in is superior and attempt to get up to that level so that we're a healthier and stronger group."

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Leyton Orient are set to sign Azeem Abdulai on a permanent deal from Swansea City for an undisclosed fee.

The midfielder - who can operate centrally, out wide and also at centre-back - has struggled to get regular game time under Luke Williams this term.

He has featured 20 times in all competitions during the 2024-25 campaign, scoring in wins against Preston North End and Gillingham in August.

However, the 22-year-old has started just two of Swansea's 27 Championship matches so far this season.

He is now expected to challenge for more action under Richie Wellens - whose side are currently eighth in League One, three points outside the play-off places.

Abdulai - a Scotland Under-21 international - was due to see his Swans contract expire in the summer, although the Championship side have already triggered the option to extend his deal by 12 months, meaning he is contracted with Swansea until 2026.

But Swansea - 13th in the Championship - will now receive a fee for the Glasgow-born player.

Abdulai was not included in Swansea's matchday squad for his side's 3-0 defeat by south Wales rivals Cardiff City on Saturday.

Williams' side return to action against promotion-chasing Sheffield United at the Swansea.com Stadium on Tuesday (19:45 GMT).

Gareth Vincent
BBC Sport Wales

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Three weeks ago, Swansea City scored a stoppage-time goal to beat Luton Town and strengthen the belief that Luke Williams' team may just be able to push for a place in the play-offs this season.

After the final whistle, Williams punched the air in front of a jubilant Swansea crowd who had just witnessed a second home victory in three days.

For Swansea, life was pretty good.

Three heavy defeats and a somewhat fortuitous draw later, the mood has shifted dramatically.

Swansea were beaten 4-0 at Portsmouth on New Year's Day – when the scoreline was ugly even if aspects of their performance were not that bad – before Williams' men scraped a point after a weary performance against West Brom.

Then came a meek FA Cup exit at Southampton, which was a little dispiriting even if it was no great shock.

And now Swansea are left licking their wounds having been outfought and outplayed by their neighbours on what goes down as the worst day of the Williams era.

A defeat like Southampton can quickly be forgotten, but Saturday's 3-0 humbling at Cardiff City will linger in the memory for Swansea's fans.

This is the fixture which matters most in south Wales. Swansea players are all aware of that, whether they have come through the academy or are recent recruits from another corner of the planet.

For the most part, Swansea's fans have been spoiled on derby day in recent years.

Before this weekend, they had won five of the past seven games against the Bluebirds, with a couple of thumping victories along the way and that extraordinary moment to savour in April 2023 when Ben Cabango struck a 99th-minute winner at the Cardiff City Stadium.

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Russell Martin delivered the first league double in the history of the south Wales derby, then followed it up with another one in the following season. These were special times.

Swansea's winning run ended when Michael Duff's team were well beaten in the capital last season, and now the class of 2024-25 have suffered what is probably an even more painful defeat.

After the double double, Cardiff had been due some better days against their rivals.

Yet that does not make defeat any easier for Swans fans to swallow.

For Swansea, a loss to Cardiff would be difficult to bear even if it came after 10 straight victories.

The fact that this weekend's loss was the latest in a line of setbacks means there is cause for concern as Williams' side prepare to face the Championship leaders, Sheffield United, on Tuesday night.

Swansea remain in mid-table, a position every follower of the club would surely have been happy with at the start of the season.

But after a torrid spell – which has coincided, whether relevant or not, with the stories linking Williams with West Brom – Swansea could do with a couple of better days.

Suddenly, after all, that rousing victory over Luton seems a long time ago.

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Former Swansea City and Ecuador winger Jefferson Montero is back in British football – with North West Counties League side FC St Helens.

Montero spent six years on Swansea's books, producing some memorable displays during the club's stay in the Premier League after joining from Mexican club Morelia in 2014.

The former La Liga player returned to his native Ecuador but is now back on these shores at the age of 35.

The North West Counties League is the ninth level of the English pyramid.

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Swansea City's Supporters Trust have outlined the reasons why the club are ready to take a chance on a new revamped Welsh League Cup - and they include the potential financial benefits of qualifying for Europe.

But they have called on fans to speak up on any concerns to take to club chairman Andy Coleman before any decision on Prosiect Cymru (Project Cymru) is made.

The trust – which has a 7.59% stake in the club and presence on its board – says it has been kept updated of the progress on proposals, which could see Wales' four EFL clubs enter the Welsh domestic competition with the prize of European qualification at stake.

Swansea have been key drivers in the plans, which are waiting for the green light from the Football Association board amid some opposition from the EFL.

In a letter to members, external, the Trust said it could see the reasons why the club would back the project.

The letter cited increased revenue to put the club on "a better financial footing", being able to attract players because of European football, increasing commercial opportunities and boosting the potential for high-quality academy recruits..

However, the trust says it is aware of fan concerns over fixture congestion, squad fatigue and giving up the chance to qualify for Europe via English competitions, as well as whether it is fair to potentially take a European spot away from a Cymru Premier club.

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Swansea City striker Josh Thomas is joining Drogheda United on loan after being recalled from his spell at League Two Bromley.

Academy product Thomas, 22, signed a new Swansea deal in August before joining Bromley on loan for the remainder of the 2024-25 campaign.

But Thomas' stint with the fourth-tier club has come to an end after he managed only six appearances in the first half of the season.

He will instead spend the 2025 season playing in the League of Ireland Premier division.

Thomas has made one senior appearance for Swansea, coming off the bench on the opening day of this season at Middlesbrough.