Is Swansea a Contender for Promotion This Season?
For teams in the lower leagues, achieving promotion to the top flight is the ultimate goal. Not only does it come with the prestige of contending with the best teams in the country on a global stage, but also carries significant financial rewards and can completely transform a football club.
The Championship is one of the most competitive football leagues in the world, with all teams desperate to secure progression. Could Swansea be in with a chance of gaining promotion to the Premier League this season? Let’s find out.
How Did Swansea Do Last Season?
If we want to know whether or not Swansea could realistically secure promotion to the Premier League next season, we need to study how they performed last season and identify their strengths and weaknesses.
Swansea finished the 2022/2023 season in 10th place. Of 46 games played, they won 18, drew 12, and lost 16. They scored 68 goals across the season, conceding 64, amassing a final points tally of 66.
Swansea’s season was one of ups and downs. A late run of good performances meant they finished just six points shy of a playoff spot, a testament to just how tight and competitive the division is. However, a string of poor results in the early stages of the season gave them a mountain to climb, one that eventually proved too much for Russel Martin and his men.
Swansea had no problems scoring. In fact, only three teams scored more: Burnley, Sheffield United, and Middlesborough, who finished first, second, and third respectively.
However, it was the backline that let Swansea down. Only the bottom three teams conceded more goals.
Who Have Swansea Brought In?
The summer transfer window offers teams the chance to regroup and reassess. Swansea need reinforcements, particularly in defence, if they want a realistic shot at promotion next year.
The beginning of the month saw Swansea make a double swoop for Hearts winger Josh Ginelly and Exeter City defender Josh Key. Ginelly will give the Swans more options up front as they look to maintain their goal scoring record, while Key will hopefully shore up what has been an alarmingly leaky backline.
What are their Chances Next Season?
If Swansea want to secure promotion to the Premier League next season, two signings isn’t going to cut it. They’re going to need to push the boat out and bring in some real quality if they want to make it into the top flight.
They’ll have a fight on their hands too. Newly relegated Leicester, Leeds, and Southampton will be desperate to make it back into the Premier League and will have a financial advantage over many of their Championship opponents.
Swansea will also have to contend with teams like Middlesbrough and Sunderland, who narrowly missed out on promotion last year and will be determined to avoid repeating the same mistakes.
Conclusion
Getting promoted to the Premier League is exceedingly difficult. However, as Luton Luton Town demonstrated in dramatic fashion last season, anything is possible in football. Swansea will certainly fancy their chances, and with some shrewd recruitment could have a real shot of securing a place in the Premier League for the 2024/2025 season.