Michu hails summer signings

30th July

Bargain buy Michu believes Swansea City's summer signings have injected more quality into the Capital One Cup holders - and will give Michael Laudrup welcomed selection headaches around the pitch.
Having proved the signing of the season last campaign, Michu has hailed the influx of new arrivals brought into the Great Dane's squad.
England international Jonjo Shelvey has arrived from Liverpool and Jonathan de Guzman has returned for another year-long loan while Spanish trio Jordi Amat, Jose Canas and Alejandro Pozuelo have also headed to the Liberty Stadium.
The Swans have also smashed the club's transfer record this summer with the £12million signing of Ivory Coast striker Wilfried Bony from Vitesse Arnhem.
And Michu, who scored 22 goals in all competitions last year including one in the Capital One Cup Final win over Bradford City, believes the Swans go into Thursday's Europa League opener with Malmo in good shape thanks to a strong pre-season in which the new signings have settled into the squad.
"It has been a very good pre-season for us," said Michu, who claimed four awards at the club's end-of-season function.
"The gaffer has brought in a lot of quality players, and they have all settled quickly into the team. It is easier for these players when they come into a club that plays the way they like to play.
"I think Jonjo has shown his quality already while Jordi, Jose and Alejandro have come to a new country but have adapted straight away.
"And then we have Wilfried, who has given us something different. He is so strong and can hold the ball up very well.
"He is a goalscorer, but he has so much more to his game than goals. He links well with players, he can drop into the attacking midfielder role too when needed, and he's good in the air.
"And, of course, de Guzman is back with us and we all know what quality he has. He played very well last season and I think it's great that he's at Swansea for another year.
"It means we have a lot of options around the pitch. It will be difficult for the players to get into this team - and that goes for everyone, because the manager now has a number of players for each position.
"It is a good problem for the manager to have, because we are involved in four competitions this season and we want to be very competitive in them all."
On a personal note, Michu - who signed a new four-year contract in January - is hoping to gain further plaudits this season.
And he believes the arrival of Bony will help take the focus off him as he looks set to drop back into his preferred midfield position this season.
"I prefer to play behind the striker so I hope you will see a better Michu," said the Spaniard, who scored in last weekend's friendly win at Reading. "I scored more goals when I played behind a striker last season.
"I like that position because I can move around and the centre-backs are looking for the striker and not me. I can arrive late from the second line and score goals.
"It was important for Swansea to bring in a top striker and Bony is a super player. We're pleased he has joined and he will try to help us."

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