Swansea City's Neil Taylor feels Germany tour is perfect preparation

Neil Taylor believes the week-long trip to Germany will provide the perfect platform for Swansea City's summer signings to settle into the squad.
Garry Monk's squad fly to Germany on Sunday to kick off the club's pre-season tour, which includes friendly matches against Champions League qualifiers Borussia Monchengladbach and 1860 Munich.
The travelling party will include the Swans' summer acquisitions which include Andre Ayew, Eder, Franck Tabanou and Kristoffer Nordfeldt.
And Taylor feels the tour in Germany will give the new faces ample time to settle into Monk's squad.
"Going away on a trip like this is a great opportunity for the new players to fully integrate themselves into the squad," said Taylor.
"When you arrive at a new club there are a lot of things to get used to. There is obviously the system and style of the team and settling into the area, while it's important to develop friendships with the players off the pitch and partnerships on the pitch.
"Going to Germany gives the new boys the opportunity to do just that. It's also a good time for us to work on new things before two really testing friendly matches.
"Monchengladbach have qualified for the Champions League, so that will be a very tough game while 1860 will be a good way to end the tour."



While the majority of his team-mates have returned fresh from a break, Taylor's summer was focused on international matters.
The left-back played a starring role along with Swans team-mate Ashley Williams in Wales's win over Belgium as Chris Coleman's side edged closer to Euro 2016 qualification.
But the 26-year-old is happy to have had such a busy schedule. He added: "We've had two solid weeks of training with double sessions already, and that will pay off throughout the season.
"Everyone came back in great shape, while for me it was a little different as I was on Wales duty which meant I only had ten days away. The rule of thumb in football is that you only start to lose your fitness if you've had two weeks off, so I've not been affected really.
"But I don't mind that at all. I was told by a manager once that if you're not getting a break then you're a successful footballer.
"I remember watching a programme about Arjen Robben once and he hasn't had a summer off for about ten years because he's been involved in the Euros and World Cup with his country while being at big clubs has meant he's been involved in Champions League finals."

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