Barcelona reportedly join race for Vorm signature

Catalan giants join list of rumoured suitors which already includes Liverpool & Arsenal

This is the rumour, circulated amongst the press (albeit on April 1st) that Barcelona are looking to add Michel Vorm to their squad in the coming transfer window. Barca stalwart Victor Valdes seems set to depart as he doesn't look likely to extend his contract, which would leave a massive void that the Catalans would have to fill post haste, and it seems that their radar bleeped when passing South Wales as they cast their net in search of a replacement.

It's long been mooted that Arsenal and Liverpool are both admirers of the Dutch international, and with an impressive debut PL season behind him it's no wonder. See for yourself:

Vorm joined from FC Utrecht as a relative unknown, but his star has soared higher and higher since moving to South Wales and he now finds himself coveted by some major players, and in all honesty I'd be tempted to cash in. For me, since succumbing to injury in the Man City game earlier in the season, Tremmel has been the better keeper. 

I know Vorm's has been nothing but excellent since arriving, and his deal was a bargain, but from what I've seen Gerhard has performed to a higher standard when called upon this year, and given he's not 35 until November (and his performances to date) I see no reason why he can't do a job for at least another year or two. One possible issue is Vorm's sell-on clause, which is rumoured to see Utrecht getting 30% of any transfer fee, but with figures of £7million plus being mentioned it would still see the Swans receive a tidy profit.

A quick look at the stats tells me Tremmel has kept 3 clean sheets in 11 starts, and Vorm 5 in 20, but with Tremmel conceding 11 goals and Vorm conceding 29 there's clearly a difference there. Something I think I've noticed too is that with Tremmel behind them the back four seem more organised - the German stopper seems to have a calming influence on the Swansea defence which could possibly have made a difference against Spurs on Saturday. Another statistic plucked from the internet is that (when I asked Opta a few weeks ago) Tremmel had the best "saves to shots ratio" in the Premier League. Couple that with the fact that he's (on average) faced 14 shots per game, two more than his Dutch counterpart, and his statistics continue to impress. 

Now, I'm aware that you can prove anything with a statistic, however I feel this is more a case of backing up a point. His performances, I feel, have been evidently good, and the statistics merely serve to reinforce the point.

Another reason I wouldn't be displeased if Vorm were to be sold for a profit is that a few times now he's been in the press, essentially criticising the level of performance from his outfield team-mates. While there's nothing wrong with a bit of honesty from a player, when it's the goalkeeper it seems a little hard to swallow, unless the keeper is the undoubted star of the show. Last season, for example, I'd have had no qualms about it at all as Vorm was consistently excellent, however this season I don't feel that's been the case, so it seems a bit rich that he's come out with the following:

Vorm in action last year

“We are frustrated as you would be when you lose three in a row, especially when you then start as we did against Tottenham because you make it so hard for yourself. Against opposition like Spurs, or Arsenal, you have to be at it from the second the game starts and we weren’t. 

"When you do that, teams can kill you and that’s what happened. The frustration is there because maybe we could have done something but you have to be there from the start or you lose matches. We weren’t awake this time but it’s not us easing off – everybody knows the season isn’t over. 

We have seven games to go and even though we have 40 points we have a lot to play for, but I think all the players have to look in the mirror and be honest with themselves and ask ‘have I really done everything to make this season end well?’'. I think I can look at myself and say I have done everything I can and if everybody is able to do the same then we can finish the season well.”              Michel Vorm

Does that strike anyone else as a little patronising towards the rest of the squad? I'm possibly being a bit harsh as he missed a chunk of the season through injury, but I don't feel his performance level is as such that he can make comments like that.

Vorm went on to look ahead to the Norwich game:

“It’s a very important game for us because we remember we had the same problem at the same stage last season when we got to 39 points. Now we have to make sure we have a good week’s training and go there with no option: we cannot lose. 

Swansea once again lose to Norwich

“After losing three in a row that has to be the mentality, one we have shown all season to beat almost everybody, and it is about looking in that mirror and doing everything to win the game. OK, Norwich are no Spurs or Arsenal but they are a side we haven’t won against for the last three games so we know they are a very difficult opponent, but there is no option: we can’t lose. 

"Norwich are a good side, strong as a team. They have a good record against us and it is hard to say why because maybe they aren’t a top, top team but they work hard all the time and we have to start with that. They have beaten us quite easily before so we know we have to start well and have 100% focus on scoring that first goal or making sure we don’t concede. We have started well in games and if we score the first we tend to be OK – but we haven’t by the start of the second-half we can struggle. 

“We must work hard as you have to against every side and it will not be easy. But we will not think about Norwich’s record against us. Everybody knew at the start of the season our results at QPR were bad (before Swansea won 5-0) but that is all in the past."

While you'd have to agree with Michel in that Norwich aren't a Champions League level team, I don't think it's any surprise why they keep beating us: They've had our number for a while now. Even the 3-0 Championship victory (where Gower and even Tamas Priskin scored) was, in truth, a very flattering scoreline, as Norwich were at least the Swans equal in that match-up. The Swans will have to finally figure out how to get one over on their East Anglian counterparts as a loss will be the fourth on the bounce, easily the Swans most dismal run of form since hitting the Premier League.

Back to Michel Vorm though: would he be that big a loss? An undoubted shot-stopper, and it is nice to have a keeper known as "the penalty killer", but given the fee being bandied about I feel we could definitely secure an excellent young keeper in the amount of time Gerhard Tremmel has left at his current level of performance. I seem to be in the minority on this one, but I'd have no objection to the Swans accepting a decent bid in the summer, although I've obviously got no objection to him staying on too.

Just as long as he stops chirping up in the press...

A look at some potential loanees for 13/14?

With European football looming, Swansea could prove an ideal destination for young players at top European clubs.

This week, rumours of young Barcelona right-back Martin Montaya joining the Swans on loan next season got me thinking - with Europa League football on offer, plus an attractive attacking playing style, SA1 has suddenly become an ideal destination for any youngsters plying their trades at star-laden Champions League level clubs. You see it every year; young players at illustrious clubs get loaned out to whichever club gets lucky, with possibly the best example this season being Romelu Lukaku's exploits at West Brom. On loan from Chelsea, it's a wonder he hasn't been recalled from his loan given how much he's impressed during his time at the Hawthorns, and he's shown the benefit regular football can have for a footballer.

Without further ado, here are some youngsters who may be struggling for game-time next season, and who it may be worth making a cheeky bid for:

Name: Martin Montoya   Team: Barcelona   Position: Right-back   Age: 21

Montoya has been linked with the Swans, as well as Liverpool, this week. Another product of the La Masia youth system, he's been progressing through the system until recently when he burst onto the scene. An impressive performance in the Copa del Rey final brought him into the fold and when Dani Alves succumbed to injury Montoya made the right-back position his own. He played nine games in a row at one point however once Dani Alves was fit it only took a few weeks before Montoya found himself on the sidelines once again. What's more, the impressive performances of Barca's other Brazilian right-back Adriano have left Montoya further out in the cold. For a player who seemed to be having his "breakthrough season", it hasn't worked out quite as he'd have hoped, so he may well be open to a move in a bid to gain experience, fitness, and establish himself in his own right. 

Montoya has been described by Barca coaches as a "total footballer" and one who has perfect technique, and it's accepted he seems to enjoy attacking more than he does defending, but it sounds like he'd be a perfect fit given how Laudrup likes his full-backs to get forward. Not since Martinez have we seen Rangel play with such freedom, and it says something when his was probably the best one-on-one opportunity the Swans had last time out against arsenal. That being said, a nippy younger version of Angel, with Barca pedigree, wouldn't go amiss in South Wales and I'd imagine the Swans are sniffing around.

Name: Hasan Pepic    Team: Juventus     Position: Left Wing   Age: 20

Tricky winger Pepic started out at Stuttgart, but transferred to Dynamo Dresden before attracting the attention of more illustrious suitors. It was announced early last month that Pepic had agreed a free transfer with Juventus (I can't find info on it but I'd assume his contract was running down?) but it seemed accepted that Pepic would spend time in Juventus' "Primavera" (development) side before challenging for a first-team berth. With Pepic seemingly on the fringes of the Juve squad, it could be worth getting a report to see if he could add some pace and trickery to the Swansea forward line.

Name: Alberto Masi    Team: Juventus     Position: Centre-Back   Age: 20

Starting out at Sampdoria, young Alberto Masi failed to make the grade and was allowed to join Pro Vercelli in a co-ownership deal (as was another Sampdoria youngster Tomasso Cancelloti). The players were allowed to leave for 500E token fees in a bid to develop their games, and it worked out well as Masi proved to be one of the catalysts which saw Pro Vercelli promoted from the third tier as playoff winners.

As the season drew to an end both clubs failed to agree to a price, so in an amazingly Italian way of solving things both clubs had to write down how much they were willing to pay for Masi, before placing it in a sealed envelope which is then handed to the league. As it turned out, Pro Vercelli offered more so they got the player, and they wasted no time in deciding to immediately sell him, in another co-ownership deal - this time with Juventus (in July 2012, however  Juventus saw enough in the player to buy out the remaining half of his ownership a month later).

Skysports Juventus expert Romeo Agresti had this to say about the imposing young centre-back:

"The most appropriate comparison is most certainly with Alessandro Nesta. That is because he always plays with his head up, has very intelligent movement, and literally never gives the ball away.  

"He has excellent physicality and is very quick. He is skilled in the air, has superb positional sense and is very good with the ball at either foot."

Sounds pretty good! He's currently on loan at Serie B Ternana, and a quick look at the table tells me they're both stingy in defence but also remarkably goal-shy. In tenth place, they've scored the second lowest amount of goals in the league, but in their defence (pun intended) they've also got the third best defence. Reminds me of John Hollins, for some reason...

A move to Swansea would be another step up the ladder for Masi in terms of the level of football he'd be experiencing. With Monk surely figuring less next season, It'd leave Bartley & Ash as the Swans only viable centre-back options so an extra option would definitely be welcomed with open arms. Whether Juve plan to utilise him more next season is another matter, but it's unlikely he'll fancy another season in the second tier of any league, so any loan approach made would be weighed carefully on it's merits (assuming Juventus are open to the idea). 

Some will say it's fanciful to be linking players of this stature to the Swans, but European football really does give a club extra purchasing power. With big clubs continuing to snap up talented youngsters, there are always players who coaches think would benefit from regular playing time; and if the prospective club can offer European football that could well swing the deal. Given the limited size of the Swansea squad (in terms of quality replacements) any players brought in from now on must be able to slot straight in, as squad rotation will be necessary next season given the amount of extra games the Swans will face.

Exactly who will arrive in SA1 remains to be seen, but one thing is for sure; Laudrup has an extensive contact list and as soon as the Swans reputation matches that of its manager there could be some very interesting developments indeed.

Laudrup stars in pop video!

Talksport unearth an early 90's gem!

You read that right ladies and gentlemen! Our suave, continentally cool manager, when playing for Barcelona, starred in what is essentially the Barca version of the Liverpool rap! From the evidence shown below, they didn't have John Barnes & co quaking in their boots...

The video, featuring Laudrup, Txiki Begiristain and Ronald Koeman, was recorded in early nineties, and features a collection of shirts not seen since Men Behaving Badly was a staple on our screens, or possibly since John Martyn stopped making music with Phil Collins. 

Given that Wales is famous as the land of song, surely the Swans should have released a "cup final song" in the build-up to the Bradford game? Rangel, Dyer & Ash would love that kind of thing I'm sure, and I for one am all for ridiculous pop songs sung by footballers. 

We've another year to plan both an assault on a cup to allow such an eventuality, and the song itself. Get writing Jacks!