Steve Cooper | Spain camp a perfect platform
Swansea City head coach Steve Cooper believes the club’s pre-season training camp in Spain will provide the perfect platform to build towards the forthcoming Championship campaign.
Cooper met the majority of the squad for the first time on Thursday as they reported back to Fairwood for the first time since the summer break.
Two days of physical testing were followed by the first full training session on grass on Saturday, before the work continued on Monday morning under the strong Spanish sun.
“It’s early days, but I’ve been really pleased with the way things have gone so far,’’ said Cooper.
“It was good to meet everyone on Thursday and start the ball rolling. The players got back in the rhythm and it teed us up nicely for this week’s training camp.
“It’s always beneficial to go away for a week like this because it naturally gives us more time together as staff and players. It provides us with maximum time to lay the foundations for the season’s work ahead, both on and off the pitch, and we’ll be making the most of it.
“The players have clearly been diligent over the summer break because they have come back in good shape. They are in a good place which allows us to start straight away on our technical, tactical and physical work.
“They’ll be given a well thought-out daily schedule that balances training, rest and learning through video, individual conversations and group meetings.
“They are here to work – and they know that.’’
Cooper travelled to Spain with an initial player party of 24 that included under 23s' youngsters Brandon Cooper, Ben Cabango, Joe Lewis, Liam Cullen, Jordan Garrick and Jack Evens.
Tom Carroll also travelled to continue his rehabilitation from a hip operation, although Borja Baston and Jefferson Montero remained on home soil.
Goalkeeper Kristoffer Nordfeldt, Joel Asoro and Bersant Celina were due to join the party on Tuesday after been given extra time off following international duty over the summer.
Swansea City training squad: Erwin Mulder, Steven Benda, Kyle Naughton, Connor Roberts, Mike van der Hoorn, Joe Rodon, Cian Harries, Declan John, Matt Grimes, George Byers, Jay Fulton, Yan Dhanda, Wayne Routledge, Nathan Dyer, Barrie McKay, Oli McBurnie, Courtney-Baker-Richardson, Tom Carroll, Brandon Cooper, Ben Cabango, Joe Lewis, Liam Cullen, Jordon Garrick, Jack Evans.
