By Paul Jones
Swansea City’s hopes of reviving their flagging fortunes rest squarely on the shoulders of new striker Žan Vipotnik this season.
The 22-year-old Slovenian spent the summer at the Euros in Germany with his national side before committing himself to the Championship club following the demise of Bordeaux in Ligue 1 in France.
He hopes to hit the ground running at Middlesbrough on Saturday, and Swansea boss Luke Williams believes he could be the point of difference in his new look team as they bid to improve on a disappointing 14th place finish last season.
Williams picked up a mere eight wins in 22 games last season after becoming the third man in charge of the Swans during a chaotic campaign.
It meant they slumped four places from the previous season to their second worst position since dropping out of the Premier League seven years ago.
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A summer shake up has seen 13 senior players depart and only four new signings arrive to date. Williams is hoping for four more before the transfer window shuts at the end of the month.
Vipotnik is the jewel in the crown of the new arrivals. He has been brought in to replace last season’s two top scorers Jerry Yates (8) and Jamal Lowe (7), who have moved on to Derby County and Sheffield Wednesday.
“It’s been a busy summer for me with what happened in Bordeaux. I liked what I heard and saw from the chairman about the way they want to take the football club forward at Swansea,” said Vipotnik.
“I like the way Swansea play and that the city lives for football. I’ve had such a warm welcome in pre-season, but now the real job starts.
“I watched the side play in a friendly and saw a lot of crosses and a lot chances inside the box. I am a striker and I like to be in the box and to be a danger.
“I hope this is what I can bring from Saturday. I’m ready.”
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Swansea will be hoping he can go beyond the 10 goal tally he managed in 37 league appearances in the top flight of French football last season at Bordeaux. A lack of goals was the biggest problem facing Williams last season.
In the five previous seasons the Swans always had a striker who reached double figures in the league – Oli McBurnie 22 in 2018-19, Andre Ayew 15 and 16 in the next two seasons when they reached the play-offs and Joel Piroe 22 and 19 after that – and Williams needs hit-man who Can hit the target regularly.
Williams says he wants show his side is “moving forward in a different direction” and will also have goalkeeper Lawrence Vigouroux, midfielder Goncalo Franco and Eom Ji-Sung, who can play out wide or as an attacking midfielder, in his armoury this season.
Dreams of Promotion, But Real World Focus On Survival For Welsh Clubs This Season