Paul Clement’s first charge in a full-fledged managerial role at Swansea City hasn’t shaped up so well this season. The former deputy to Carlo Ancelotti arrived at the Liberty Stadium last season amidst turmoil. A few subtle changes of tactics and his calculative vision of the game helped the Welsh side immensely as they kept their Premier League status alive for one more season.
But this season it has been a pretty different story. Despite splurging and bringing in players like Renato Sanches and Tammy Abraham, they have remained in a sub-par position as their performance has not reached the expected heights.
Following their last gasp survival last season, the Swans’ supporters had pinned their hopes on the gaffer but he has failed to deliver. Clement’s job, however, is not in danger as of now. The international break couldn’t have come at a crucial stage as the Frenchman will have the time to fix the damage that has been done so far.
Up next is a tough trip to Burnley who are enjoying a delightful journey in the Premier League this season. The Clarets are knocking on the door for a place in the top six and Swansea need to be very attentive if they want something positive from the match.
Clement cannot relax as his position at the club is hanging by the thread and they can well follow the path of Everton, West Ham United and Crystal Palace.
If Clement needs to bring stability at the Liberty Stadium he will have to sort out problems, which is currently lying in the midfield it seems. Despite the arrival of Renato Sanches and Roque Mesa, the Swans are looking clueless in the middle of the pitch.
They need to be a bit decisive in the final third as Tammy Abraham is often seen getting isolated from the other players that have let them down at times.
Swansea need more bodies in the attacking third a perhaps a dominant midfielder like William Carvalho could be a solution to the problem. The midfielder can hold the ball if needed and can steer the ball forward with incisive precision.
The Portuguese international’s presence in the field will encourage the other players to move forward and it could bring a change in their playing style. Added to that, there seems to be a dearth of communication among the midfielders as the Swansea players are often seen getting bogged down by the opponents.
So they have to work as a unit in the near future, starting from the midfield and only then they might be able to challenge the opponent team.
