Should Swansea start Ki charm offensive?

Korean midfield maestro reveals he hasn't spoken to Swansea since Laudrup's departure

Any regular readers of the site will know how much of a fan of Ki I am. Last season I put together a couple of pieces (links here & here) showing that, in terms of numbers at least, some of the criticism he'd received for "not getting stuck in" simply wasn't accurate. Defensively he put in just as much of a shift as Jonathan De Guzman, and in terms of ball retention he actually lost possession less than Leon! Impressive. 

This season however, his face clearly didn't fit and he's spent the season on loan at Sunderland. The reasoning given is simply that we had too many central midfielders - with Canas, Leon, Jonjo & JDG it's likely that someone (evidently Ki) would have missed out more often than not, and we can't have predicted the injury crisis we experienced a few weeks ago where we only had one fit dedicated midfielder. There have, however, been other rumours as to his departure - stories abounded regarding the Korean demanding to play every game and of a miscommunication between Ki & Laudrup leading to the Dane losing faith in the midfielder.

The latter surrounded Ki returning home to Korea to receive treatment on an injury - it's rumoured Laudrup felt he was using this as an excuse to take it easy in the aftermath of Swansea winning the League Cup - though this did come from a dodgy translation of his dad's comments in the Korean media. In the meantime however, he's got on with endearing himself to Sunderland fans. He's done alright too.

Gus Poyet has been completely up front about his desire to sign Ki at the end of the season, but it seems that (if we play our cards right) he'll still be a Swansea player next season. For a start, every time Poyet has talked about Ki he's stated that until the Swans give an indication they'll sell he thinks it's unlikely, and secondly at the fans' forum organised by the Supporters Trust earlier this year Huw Jenkins indicated that Ki would definitely be returning to SA1 at the end of the season. He said it like he meant it too.

There is a danger though. Ki scored the winner against Chelsea in the Semi-Final of the Capital One Cup, as well as scoring the winning penalty against Manchester United in an earlier round, but it's his overall performances that will have endeared him to the Sunderland faithful. I got the distinct impression last season that despite his impressive statistics we weren't seeing the best of Ki due to the nature of the role he was being asked to play, and at Sunderland he's been given much more license to express himself. 

The main benefit of this is that when he does find himself in front of goal, he's got license to shoot and doesn't have that little voice in the back of his head saying "you should probably be playing a five yard pass here", which was clearly largely to blame for his lack of goals in his first season at the Swans. You don't go from scoring multiple thirty-yard screamers for Celtic to not mustering a goal all season unless your game has changed dramatically.

Given Sunderland's clear desire to sign Ki permanently, you could understand if we'd have contacted him to see how he was doing and to reassure him we want him back for next season, but these comments seem to indicate that (since Laudrup left at least) we haven't been in touch. Ki was asked at a recent press conference if the Swans had been in touch since the Dane's departure:

“No, there hasn’t been anything.I don’t make my future plans because I don’t know about my future. I had no idea I would be going to Swansea and this season I had no idea I would be coming to Sunderland. It was unexpected. 

“I had to make a choice to become a better player and Sunderland gave me a hand and an opportunity. I don’t know about my future, I just try to do my best in every single game I have. My life is like that. I just look to do my best.

“Maybe other footballers have a dream, to go to big clubs, but, for me, a big club is a club that wants me, a club that needs me – that is my idea of a big club. If they love you and need you, that is a big club for me.” 

http://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/sunderland-afc/loan-star-ki-uncertain-over-sunderland-future-1-6482956

It seems fairly obvious to me that right about now we could be making a play for Ki. Jonathan De Guzman's loan expires at the end of the season, and it's unclear (and doubtful) whether he fancies another season in SA1 - couple that with Leon's advancing years and letting a central midfielder of Ki's calibre go to a Premier League rival would be a very, very big gamble. Especially when we already know Ki can operate in our system effectively.

One thing that could perhaps work in our favour is that the only thing which seemed to stop us recalling Ki in January was an oversight when it came to the loan paperwork. There was a clause which stated that if we were to recall Ki during the January window we had to let them know seven days prior to the window opening - something we didn't do which resulted in Jordi Amat having to play in midfield on a couple of occasions. That clearly showed an intent from the Swans to bring him back into the fold and hopefully that'll work in our favour. 

The danger is that as well as the Sunderland fans growing attached to Ki, the player will develop a reciprocated affinity and could end up deciding he's better off in the North East. For a player who has only spent one year with us it must be fairly "six of one, half a dozen of the other" when it comes to signing for non-Champions League teams in the Premiership, and Sunderland have a bigger stadium, probably pay bigger wages...you get the picture.  

Hindsight is a wonderful thing and there's possibly one or two things we'd have done differently if we could go back, but what's important is the here, the now, and the future. Ki is still our player for another year after his loan expires, and his comments about wanting to feel wanted by a club to me say that if we make a decent play for him between now and the beginning of next season he's happy to stick around. This is all assuming the club want him around next season of course, but I'd be surprised if they've done an about turn on their stance since the Supporters Trust meeting - especially considering Ki's performances of late.

It remains to be seen where Ki Sung-Yueng will be playing his football next season, but I for one hope and expect it will be for Swansea City. Fingers crossed.

What do you think of Ki Sung-Yueng? Would you like to see him back at the Swans? Do you think he should have been loaned out? Get involved by commenting below!

Ki's goal against Chelsea shows Swansea what they're missing

Cultured Korean is fast becoming a fan favourite on Wearside, but will he fancy returning to SA1?

In one of my least favourite pieces of transfer wheeling and dealing over the last few years, we let Korean international midfielder Ki Sung-Yueng join Sunderland on a season long loan. As various statistic based articles I put together towards the end of last season will attest to, I'm a massive fan of Ki and firmly believe he should be retained for next season - regardless of how much Sunderland may want to retain him.

Since Poyet took over from the tyrannical Paolo Di Canio at Sunderland, he's been effusive in his praise for the on-loan Swansea player and I'm sure I saw one quite describe him as "the best player at the club". Despite operating in a defensive role since moving south from Celtic, he's been moved forward in the last few matches with almost immediate results. He has the technique, vision and composure to be a massive success at attacking midfield, and Sunderland look set to reap the rewards of having the confidence to play him in a more advanced role.

I was bleating for all of last season that he should be played ahead of two defensive midfielders, but I seemed to be on my own with that one. Hopefully though, now that he's got a chance to make a name for himself further forward that'll see him return to SA1 both confident in, and noted for his prowess in the final third. As this video attests to, he's got a cannon with both feet and given the chance he can score goals.

One thing I am growing concerned about is whether Ki will want to stick around in SA1 come summertime. Rumours of a falling out with Laudrup remain unconfirmed, however it seems he fell dramatically out of favour last season, and with one year left on his contract (by the time his loan deal ends, anyway) a bid from Sunderland will no doubt tempt the Swansea powers that be. Huw indicated Ki would still be a Swansea player next season when questioned at a fans' event a few months ago, and I'm clinging to that as I feel that, long term, the man signed from Celtic could replace Leon Britton. In the meantime though, I'm quite happy to see him swanning forward and scoring from all over the shop.

Another factor will be the growing affection flowing between player and fans in the North East. Last night he went a LONG way in securing his status as a "fans favourite" by scoring the winner against Chelsea in the League Cup quarter final, in the 118th minute no less (see the video below - great finish). This came after another ex-Swan - Fabio Borini - had levelled things up in the 88th minute after Lee Cattermole's OG had put Chelsea in front. 

Feats like these endear players to local fanbases, and if we're not careful Ki might decide he doesn't fancy sticking around in South Wales after all. If that does indeed end up being the case, we'll have lost a very, very good football player indeed. 

Swansea 4 - 0 Sunderland - "We got a penalty..."

Two goals from corners AND we were given a penalty... 

Yesterday morning I awoke to glorious sunshine. I enjoyed an hour of thinking "what a nice day for the footie", before a brief (and heavy) bout of good ol' Welsh rain led me to think otherwise. By the time I arrived at the Liberty however, the skies had cleared and I was looking forward to what would surely be a long-awaited home win for the Swans.

Michael Laudrup had restored Leon Britton to the starting lineup, and he was partnered by JDG & Michu, while Ben Davies was deemed fit enough to start. Elsewhere, Pablo was benched in favour of Dyer & Routldge, while Ash missed out again so Jordi Amat continued to deputise in his absence. For Sunderland, Poyet had brought Phil Bardsley back into the team while Steven Fletcher had recovered from injury sufficiently to feature. 

The first half was... well, it should accurate describe it if I say I was seriously tempted to just skip analysing it. We were flat, lacked imagination and didn't look like breaking down a resolute Sunderland defence. For the visitors, Bardsley wasted a glorious opportunity at the back post while perhaps the biggest talking point for the Swans was whether or not Valentin Roberge should have been sent off for manhandling Michu when the Spanish forward seemed to be in on goal. As it was he only received a yellow card for his troubles - as had his previously mentioned counterpart Bardsley for an earlier (and nastier) foul on Nathan Dyer. 

So it was that we went in at half time with the scored tied at 0-0, and the talk on the terraces generally seemed to be laced with quite a lot of frustration. I remarked to a friend how I'd been particularly "less than enthused" with De Guzman's efforts, and how he did something spectacular every five to ten games which keeps him in the team. Ahem. The only shining light from our first half display (in my opinion) was Leon Britton. He basically spent the first fourty-five minutes scampering around clearing up his team-mates errors, and was the only player who looked like he understood the pressing need for three points from this fixture.

Thankfully, the second half brought about a change of attitude as well as a change of fortunes. The Swans operated with a renewed zip and vigour, and looked much likelier to break down their opponents. Neil Taylor replaced Ben Davies on 50 minutes, after the young left-back (Davies, that is) twisted his ankle in the first half. The Swans seem to be cursed with ankle injuries at the moment, and he's been sent for an x-ray to determine the extent of the injury. Laudrup thinks he may miss a game or two, which doesn't bode well.

As it happened, after Taylor came on we scored four goals. Whether you can attribute that entirely to a switch in left-back I don't know, but it happened. The opener came from a corner (I know!) - Angel Rangel flicking on at the near post and seeing his header (which was drifting across the area but not towards goal) cannon off Phil Bardsley and past Keiran Westwood in the Sunderland goal. 1-0, and the start of a seven minute purple patch which saw the Swans claim the first three of their four goals. 

Next up was Jonathan De Guzman barely a minute later - and WHAT a strike. I could try and describe it, but it's easier to just link a video:

Quality. The way he opened his body up... the guy has serious technique and I did feel bad for criticising him based on his first half. I just think he wanders a lot - stick near Leon and, as Laudrup remarked after the game, the forwards will do all the scoring. I think in the first half we crowded forward too often and given how compactly Sunderland set up there was no space to operate in. By sitting deeper you draw the opposition onto you and create gaps further up the field.

Next up it was Wilfried Bony from the spot. Leon, with shades of Hull 2003, burst forward into the left hand side of the box and got the ball marginally before Gardner clattered him. Just inside the box, and a definite penalty. Bony stepped up and smashed the ball right into the the left-hand corner - a great penalty, and I thought that taking the penalty showed massive strength of character. He must know that some fans are questioning his lack of league goals (which I think is harsh) and if he'd have missed it would have severely exacerbated that. 

As it happened, he buried it and we were in dreamland. 3-0, and to be honest up until that point I hadn't thought we'd played particularly well! Some call that the sign of champions, but I doubt we'll be vying for the title come the end of the season. There's an interesting statistical analysis of Bony's performance on the official site here: http://www.swanseacity.net/news/article/stat-attack-sunderland-1122485.aspx - hopefully we'll see more of that kind of thing from the club. It's rather novel for that kind of thing to come from the official source and I'm a big fan of it!

Just before Bony's penalty, Fabio Borini was one of two Sunderland substitutions and he came on to warm applause from the home fans. A few minutes later he missed a gilt-edged change running onto a hopeful pass where he skied his finish when perhaps he should have done better. I'm sure the home fans wouldn't have been quite so affable had he found the back of the net, as 2-1 with half an hour left would have given the game a vastly different complexion. 

Bony was replaced by Alvaro Vazquez on 75 minutes and Pozuelo came on for Routledge five minutes later, with both Spaniards looking lively. I think for players like Alvaro - a striker who's never had a prolific season - when you arrive at a new club you need to stick a few goals in early on otherwise you lose the belief you're able to be a twenty-goal-a-season striker. I've seen videos of him sticking in absolute worldies, but then again we signed Walter Boyd based on the same principle and he never came close to scoring the thirty-five goals he claimed he was capable of.

The fourth goal AGAIN came from a corner. The Swans got goals from unusual sources yesterday - we got our first penalty in fifty-six games and scored twice from corners. Quite remarkable. And we scored from outside the area. The Swans' last goal came from a corner swung in by Jonathan De Guzman (who turned around his day with a goal and two assists from corners), which  found Chico Flores. His header came off Steven Fletcher and slipped through Sunderland's clutches into the net, to make the game 4-0 with ten minutes remaining. Game over, and it was a case of damage limitation for Poyet's men. 

Instigated by the Jack Army, a small pocket Sunderland fans could be heard joining in with "Bring back Di Canio", but I suspect this was ironic based on the display of football from their team, and that they appreciate they're likely to be better off under the Uruguayan. Brighton had the best defence in Championship last year, and both the Swansea goals from corners have officially gone down as own goals - if we're being honest there was a stroke of fortune about both. Sometimes it goes your way, sometimes it doesn't.

So, a much needed boost to our goal difference and a confidence-boosting result to boot. Our first home win since March, we now have a Thursday/Sunday home combo of Kuban Krasnodar and West Ham before our little jaunt up the M4 to our nearest and dearest. A good time to be hitting some form...

Swansea vs Sunderland - Match preview, statistics, team news & analysis

The Match

Swansea will be hoping the first visit of a non-Champions League chasing side this season will result in a much awaited home win. Last time out against Southampton they huffed and puffed but failed to come close to blowing anything defence-shaped down, so the fact that the visitors boast the league's leakiest defence won't have got past Michael Laudrup. They should be fired up after most of the squad enjoyed a rest during the international break, and the Swansea boss will no doubt be expecting three points from this encounter.

Sunderland will be hoping a change of manager will bring about a change of fortunes. Yet to claim a league win, they've only managed one point from seven games and unless that changes soon you'd have to imagine they'll be leading candidates for relegation come spring. New boss Gus Poyet should get his side playing more structured football than the more...ahem..."motivationally focused" Paolo Di Canio, and as he's had the international break to work his magic his side should arrive in South Wales confident of making a much better fist of it than in previous matches. Remarkably, five of their seven games have been played at home so unless they start picking up points soon it could be a long, hard season for the team from the North East.

Prior Form (Most recent at top)

Team News - provided by Physioroom.com's Ben Dinnery

Swansea entertain Sunderland on Saturday in their first 3pm kick-off of the season to begin a “huge”  and “pivotal” week of football for Michael Laudrups’ men. Positive news on the injury front as the Jacks treatment room is beginning to clear with a number of first team members expected to be available for selection this weekend. Goalkeeper Michel Vorm should be fine after picking up a slight hand injury during the World Cup qualifiers while de Guzman and Monk has recovered from their respective groin and knee niggles. Leon Britton is a minor concern having missed training during the international break because of a calf injury while Spanish playmaker Pablo Hernandez (thigh) will return after six weeks out, although his recent illness may mean a place on the bench is likely. Full-back Ben Davies has progressed well after his hamstring injury at Southampton, the defender was initially ruled out for around four weeks, but providing there is no reaction in training today he could be a part of the match-day squad.

For Sunderland the new manager has brought a renewed confidence with a surge of positivity sweeping across Wearside as Gus Poyet takes charge of his first game with a fully fit squad at his disposal. The big news is the return of striker Steven Fletcher who recovers after dislocating his shoulder at West Brom in September, the manager has already hinted at a possible start with Altidore potentially dropping to the bench after his midweek international exertions. Goalkeeper Westwood (shoulder) should retain the number one jersey despite missing out for Ireland with full-back Phil Bardsley back in the frame following his recent off-field antics and broken foot.  Andrea Dossena is in line for his first competitive appearance for the Black Cats but Wes Brown is unlikely to be risked despite his recovery from on-going knee and calf problems.

Completely guessed lineups

Statistics & Trivia

• Swansea have completed 493 passes per game so far this season - the most in the league.
• Sunderland have kept clean sheets in three of their previous four PL games against the Swans.
• The Swans currently have the longest run of games at home without a win - eight, dating back to the Newcastle game last season.
• Swansea are one off 100 Premier League goals.
• Poyet is the 11th "permanent" Sunderland manager to be appointed in the Premier League.
• Under Poyet last season, Brighton had the best defence in the Championship, only conceding 43 goals in 46 games.
• Michu has been involved in more shots than any other player this season - 32. He's had 16 shots and created 16 chances for others.
• Sunderland are only the sixth team in Premier League history to have recorded one (or no) point after seven games. Three of the previous five were relegated. .
• Sunderland have gone 11 league games without a win.

Straight from the horse's mouth

Michael Laudrup speaks about Ashley Williams' fitness, and his pride about Michu making the Spanish squad:

Sunderland boss Gus Poyet fancies his chances of turning around Sunderland's fortunes:

Analysis

Swansea need to go for the kill. If Sunderland get to around half an hour gone without conceding it's distinctly possible they'll develop a sense of confidence they've probably been lacking so far this season, and it's imperative we don't afford it to them.

I really hope we see Leon & Canas deployed at the base of the midfield, especially with Ash and possibly Ben Davies out of action. With the need for a home win at the forefront of everyone's minds, Laudrup will surely deploy both Michu & Bony in the hunt for goals, which puts added pressure on the two other midfielders. I worry that without the balance the aforementioned midfield duo provide we could lose control of the midfield in a game we really can't be losing.

Hopefully Pablo will be fit enough to start, and he's surely itching to be back in amongst the action. With Bony not featuring in Ivory Coast's most recent match he'll also be fully fit, so I'm expecting a dynamic, deadly attacking performance for the Swans.

One cause for concern is the likelihood Steven Fletcher will be available for selection for Sunderland. The classy forward has three in three against the Swans so far in the Premier League and without Ash it'll be a tough task keeping him off the scoresheet. He'll need to be watched carefully lest he gets an early goal which allows Sunderland a foothold in the game.

New Sunderland manager Poyet will no doubt have been drilling his squad with his way of thinking, but given he's probably trying to get them to pass the ball around a lot they couldn't really be up against a worse team. - especially when you consider Ki (on loan from the Swans) is probably their best exponent of that type of football, and he's unavailable due to the conditions of the loan agreement.

Given the distinct possibility Fletcher will start I'm not confident of a clean sheet, but I am confident of a win. 3-1 Swans, with Bony impressing. Distance call, but I've had a beer and I'm feeling optimistic. Go on Wilf!

Pablo & Davies available for the weekend, Ash still injured while Ki is ineligible to play against parent club

Swansea still sweating on fitness of skipper, but should have a number of players returning to the squad for Sunderland game this Saturday

We're almost through this long, drawn out international period. Well, there's still the small matter of Belgium vs Wales tonight, but with Neil Taylor likely to be the only current Swansea player on show (excluding Jazz Richards who's on loan at Huddersfield) we can be forgiven for casting our eyes forward to the weekend.

Pablo Hernandez has been sidelined since before we played Valencia with a hamstring injury, but has been in full training for a little while now and should be available, while Ben Davies is rumoured to have recovered from his own hamstring strain suffered at Southampton. If he's ok in training this week he may well be in the team on Saturday.

Elsewhere, De Guzman should have also recovered from his own injury problems by the weekend after picking up a groin strain which saw him ruled out of international duty for Holland, and Garry Monk is returning to training today after he injured his knee in the Capital One Cup defeat to Birmingham.

One player who looks set to continue watching from the sidelines though (for the time being at least) is Ashley Williams. The imperious Swansea skipper played through the pain barrier against Crystal Palace but we haven't seen him since, and despite not officially being ruled out it's unlikely the club will recall him to the team if there's any risk attached. Get well soon Ash, you're missed. Big time. 

With Sunderland looking to turn their season around, new manager Gus Poyet has already spoken of his determination to return from the Liberty with all three points. 

'It's a big contrast. We have a few problems. We have changed a manager and we have got a new group of players, but at 3pm, it's 11 v 11, one referee, two linesmen. It's about what you do in those two hours. 

'It doesn't matter what's happened before. Swansea are in a better balanced position, yes they are, it's true, but that doesn't mean that they are going to win. 

'We will go there to win. We need to win football games. We cannot go to places looking to get just one point.' Gus Poyet

http://www.swansea.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=335461#ixzz2hmHhDyaP

Saturday's match against Sunderland has the potential to be a cracker. They need a win to turn their season around, while Swansea are looking for their first home win since we beat Newcastle in the aftermath of our Capital One Cup win - some eight home games ago.

A home win would boost the squad's confidence, and it's the first overtly "winnable" game we've had at the Liberty in the League this year. In the Europa League we've fared well - winning 4-0, 5-1 and 1-0, but in the league we've managed a draw and two losses - although our opponents in those games were Liverpool, Manchester United & Arsenal respectively.

I firmly believe if we were to deploy Leon Britton and Jose Canas at the base of a three-man midfield we'll out-pass any team in the league, and what's more we'll get more purchase through the middle of the park. Of late we've struggled to penetrate teams and Wilfried Bony has cut an isolated figure. Feed the bull, and he will score.

Whether Laudrup goes with such a formation is up for debate - if I was a betting man I'd wager he goes with Canas, Shelvey & Michu again - however this just hasn't looked efficient enough against quality opposition. While Sunderland aren't in the same weight-class as the teams who've visited South Wales so far, you can bet they'll be fired up for this one and will come flying out of the blocks. It's up to the Swans to get an early goal which would go a long way in dampening their enthusiastic attempts to impress their new manager.

One player who won't be featuring for Sunderland is Ki Sung-Yueng, on loan from the Swans and ineligible to play against his parent club. Speaking about how not playing on Saturday could affect his chances of selection for South Korea, Ki said it was "disappointing" he'd not be able to play against the Swans. I hope he means purely because it hinders his international chances!

“I can’t play against Swansea which is disappointing, but I hope the boys can play well. Hopefully I will be back in the team for the Newcastle game. I feel much better now after playing a few games.

“I think I’ll be stronger when we start again after the international games too. I’m pleased to be back in the Korea squad and I’m enjoying playing against some good teams.

“I haven’t been in the squad for a long time, so I’m trying my very best. We didn’t need to be very disappointed after Manchester United because we played well. The points will come for us if we play like that.” Ki Sung-Yueng

http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/ki-hoping-absence-swansea-wont-6186136? 

Personally I really hope Ki is back with us next year. He's got unfinished business, and sources at the club have indicated they expect the South Korean international to still be a Swansea City player next season. That being said, Gus Poyet likes to play good football and Ki is likely to have a lot more fun playing for the Uruguayan as opposed to fiery dictator Di Canio. I can't imagine Di Canio would have been too happy about the perceived "sideways passes" that people unfamiliar with possession football accuse Ki of making.

Hopefully Ki shows everyone what he can do this season. If he can smash in a few goals similar to the ones he scored for Celtic Swansea fans will be clamouring for him to return to SA1, as goals from midfield is something we've been lacking in recent times.

Ki Sung-Yueng to be Swansea City's stand out midfielder next year? You heard it here first.

Ki loaned to Sunderland - what's all that about?!

Korean midfielder is deemed surplus to requirements despite impressing last season

Now, anyone who's a regular visitor to the site will know I'm a big fan of Ki Sung-Yueng. The midfielder impressed me massively throughout last season, despite playing the entirety of it out of position as a defensive midfielder - finishing as the Premier League's most accurate passer to boot.

Let's put that into perspective - when Leon Britton finished his first PL season with the same accolade the national media jumped all over it - comparing him to Xavi and Iniesta. When the same feat was achieved a year later by a player new to the Premier League, his team and what's more the position he found himself playing in, it was only flagged up by his most loyal of fans and those with an interest in statistics. 

Something I've been banging on about for a week or two now is how Swansea aren't running the midfield like they used to, and I firmly believe this is because a number of times so far this season we've lined up without one of Leon or Ki at the base of our midfield, and I think we suffer as a result. I'm not saying it's impossible for us to adapt to playing without one of the two, just that at present I'd still prefer to see one or the other anchoring out midfield. They operate unlike any of the other midfielders we have in the squad, and the selfless nature of their respective games allows the team around them to flourish.

The game against West Brom yesterday was easily the best we've performed without either of the two in the team, and I am pretty confident as our new look midfield gels we'll continue to see an improvement in terms of ball retention and our possession game, but I can't help but feel that Ki can legitimately feel quite hard done by. For his part, Laudrup has stated the Korean has a future at the Swans despite moving on loan to Sunderland, and we do have an option to recall him in January if necessary, so we may yet see Ki featuring for us before the end of the season. 

I for one hope we haven't seen the last of a player who we broke our transfer record to sign for £5.5million. Good luck Ki - show us what you can do!

Sunderland & Everton rumoured to be interested in taking Ki on loan

South Korean seems to have slipped down the pecking order at the Liberty

This is a really strange one if true. Last season Ki Sung-Yueng played as a defensive midfielder for the duration, and was blatantly being played out of position. Despite this, he performed admirably, as a couple of statistical blogs I put together showed (click here or here), and I felt at times he was receiving slightly harsher treatment than, say, Jonathan De Guzman.

Ki & Bartley appear to both be "board signings", as they have regularly taken second preference to players brought in by Laudrup, and I feel for Ki in particular as, lack of goals aside, I thought he couldn't have done much more than he managed to achieve last season. Most accurate passer in the Premier League - not bad for your first season in the biggest league in the world when you're being asked to play an unfamiliar role in a team who play a very specific type of football.

As for the ongoing rumours themselves - Sunderland & Everton? Why would we loan a quality player to teams who we could realistically expect to see occupying a similar league position to ourselves come the end of the season? Martinez would no doubt love to have the Korean in his squad, whereas with Sunderland maybe we feel bad that we took £5million off them for Danny Graham...

Personally, I think Ki is a player who has the potential to be a really, really good servant to Swansea City, and I think if he was given regular game-time with a bit more freedom he'd shine. Sadly, given the team lineups we've witnessed to date this season it doesn't appear he's going to get much of a look in, so while I wouldn't like to see him depart I'd much prefer it to be a loan than a permanent move. That being said, I'd imagine there'd be some kind of loan fee going on this late in the day, and we do love making money!

It's a double edged-sword really - would you rather loan him to a club who operate at the same level as yourselves, so that he comes back even more acclimatised to the Premier League, or a club where you know his performances will definitely not hinder your own team's? There's nothing worse than one of your players starring for another side and costing your own team a league position or two...

With transfer deadline day rapidly appearing on the horizon, I've no doubt we'll see bids for a few of our players. Let's hope that whatever happens, Ki gets to play a lot of football this season.