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Swansea City: Three hopes, one fear

By Sean Maslin

LEICESTER, ENGLAND - AUGUST 27: Gylfi Sigurdsson of Swansea City reacts during the Premier League match between Leicester City and Swansea City at The King Power Stadium on August 27, 2016 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
LEICESTER, ENGLAND - AUGUST 27: Gylfi Sigurdsson of Swansea City reacts during the Premier League match between Leicester City and Swansea City at The King Power Stadium on August 27, 2016 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) /
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EIBAR, SPAIN – JANUARY 30: Borja Gonzalez of SD Eibar duels for the ball with Recio of Malaga CF during the La Liga match between SD Eibar and Malaga CF at Ipurua Municipal Stadium on January 30, 2016 in Eibar, Spain. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)
EIBAR, SPAIN – JANUARY 30: Borja Gonzalez of SD Eibar duels for the ball with Recio of Malaga CF during the La Liga match between SD Eibar and Malaga CF at Ipurua Municipal Stadium on January 30, 2016 in Eibar, Spain. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images) /

Hope #1: That Borja Baston can replace Andre Ayew.

Baston, 24, was the Swans big offseason signing coming to the Liberty Stadium on a 15.5 million pound transfer from Atletico Madrid. The Spanish international scored 18 goals while on loan with Eibar last season which put him at the top of the La Liga scoring table and led to interest from European suitors. The hope for Swansea City supporters is that Baston can replace Ayew, who scored 15 goals last season.

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Although Baston is not exactly a like-for-like replacement for Ayew (Ayew is a bit stronger and is left-footed) he should be able to match his scoring output. Much like Ayew, Baston scored most of his goals last season on long crosses into the box.

If Baston can develop a rapport with Sigurdsson, who is one of the best crossers in the Premier League, and Leroy Fer (who has scored twice this season already) then Swansea should have little problem finding the back of the net.

The one big concern is Baston’s lack of experience in top-flight football. His tremendous season with Eibar aside, Baston has spent the majority of his career on loan with teams in the Spanish second division. Given the differences in style between English and Spanish football there may be a bit of a learning curve. Overcoming that curve quickly is paramount to the Swans success during the 2016-2017 season.

Next: Hope #2: That Jefferson Montero can have a bigger role in the attack.

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