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With Gylfi Sigurdsson reportedly completing his medical at Finch Farm today, I managed to take some time out to discuss the Icelandic playmaker with Swansea City fan, John, from @SwansBlog.
What do you think Sigurdsson has brought to Swansea during his time in South Wales?
He has almost single handedly kept us in game or won us games, especially last season when him and Llorente combined so well. He is a match winner, that is why you are paying nearly £50m.
What do people on the terraces say about him?
Before his refusal to take part in our pre-season tour and friendlies everyone loved him, now not so much. That aside he is a terrific player. He scores, he creates goals and something that isn’t often talked about is his work rate. He will always put in a shift to win the ball and always makes himself available for other players. Us fans always like a player who is prepared to work for the shirt, he will be missed whether everyone will admit that at the moment or not.
How do Swansea fans feel about Everton’s prolonged interest in him?
I don’t think you’re going to be top of the Christmas card list thats for sure. Everton haven’t been shy about their new found wealth and the general feeling is if Everton say they want to be contenders for a top 4 spot you can’t complain when people ask for a lot of money for their key players. This could have been completed weeks ago.
Surely there are better players out there for for £50 million, aren’t there?
Undoubtedly there are more gifted players and you could probably scout Europe and find a similar player who will cost less but will they be an instant success in the Premier League? He is a proven Premier League match winner. his record over the past three seasons proves that, yet another reason his price is so high.
Does he have any weaknesses in his game?
Technically I don’t think he has any weaknesses at all. However, he isn’t the quickest and is only really effective just behind a lone striker or at the top of a diamond. Play him anywhere else like Spurs did and he will drift in and out of games.
Do you think he’s really worth £50 million?
To us yes, for a club of our size and standing in the league to replace a midfielder with that much influence in the final third of the pitch (27 league goals / 26 assists in 3 seasons) is almost impossible. You’re paying more because we will have to pay more to replace him.
How do you think Swansea will fare without him?
To continue to play with the same system as if Sigurdsson was still there will see us struggle, we are going to have to adapt quickly as there is no direct replacement currently at the club. Tammy Abraham looks like an exciting addition and should chip in with a few goals but we desperately need wingers. My worry is without 2/3 points of attack we are really going to struggle to break teams down.
How do you think he will do at Everton?
His time at Everton will go one of two ways. If Everton decide to build their attack around him then he will thrive and so will Everton. Unless Koeman can commit to this then I’m afraid his time at Everton could mirror his time at Spurs.
Do you feel the lengthy negotiations have impacted upon your pre-season?
I’m not so sure, the only impact it will have is on recruiting his replacement. Time is running out. I’m sure a lot of the Swans first choice targets will either have already moved or their price will now double. Let’s hope Clement can use his contacts from his time at Real, PSG and Bayern and get a good loan signing in.
It’s taken a long time, but Gylfi is finally on blue soil, and should be unveiled as an Everton player later today. It is clear from the interview that he is capable of offering so much to a team, and if he can replicate his form for the Swans wearing the blue shirt, then I’m sure the lengthy saga and the hefty price tag will soon mean very little to the Everton faithful. Here’s hoping he provides that much needed spark in the final third.
– Richie McCann (@richie3986)
Thank you to John from Swans Blog you can find him on Twitter here; @SwansBlog
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