Francesco Guidolin and chairman Huw Jenkins are happy with Swansea City squad
1st September
Swans boss Francesco Guidolin believes he has the squad to be successful in the Premier League this season.
Though the transfer window closed yesterday with no late additions, Guidolin declared himself "happy" with the group of players he has at his disposal for the club's sixth successive top-flight campaign.
"I believe the additions we've made over the summer will strengthen the squad," said Guidolin.
"I am happy with the squad I have available, with two players competing for every position. There is plenty of quality there and the club has done well to allow me to do my job in the right way.
"There is solidarity in the dressing room and all the players are working hard for each other, which is very important.
"We had a good win at Burnley, were unlucky not to beat Hull, while we have to hold our hands up and say we had a bad day at Leicester. Our performance there was not good enough, especially in the first half, and we have to improve.
"But I am confident we can and will have a good season."
Swans chairman Huw Jenkins supported his manager's belief that the squad is good enough to push on in the Premier League this season, while also reiterating that sustainable Premier League football is always the immediate focus without forgetting the importance of the club's financial future.
"We have made seven additions to the squad from last season when you include the return of Nathan Dyer from his loan spell at Leicester City," explained Jenkins. "And the manager is happy with the squad he has to work with.
"Three strikers have gone out (Eder, Bafetimbi Gomis and Alberto Paloschi) and three have come in with Fernando Llorente, a World Cup winner, Borja Baston, a club-record signing, and the promotion of Oliver McBurnie from the development group.
"Two defenders have gone out (Kyle Bartley and Ashley Williams) with Mike van der Hoorn and Alfie Mawson replacing them, while goalkeeper Mark Birighitti has also come in.
"The midfield has stayed the same following Leroy Fer's permanent move from QPR."
The chairman added: "The team has been in transition over the last year or two, with a number of players who have been the bedrock of our success in first achieving and then maintaining our Premier League status moving on for different reasons.
"That transition, which happens to all clubs and proved the downfall of many, has to be managed. The recent majority shareholder takeover will help us secure that future, which is one of the reasons they came on board.
"Our accounts are due out next month and it will highlight a significant loss for last season.
"That's why we always have to strike a balance to work financially within the budgets we have.
"That balance becomes even harder to achieve every year, but it makes us more determined to find a way to remaining strong and competitive in the Premier League."
