The transfer deadline has passed and everyone can focus on matters on the pitch until the turn of the year. There was one incredible deal that was completed on Thursday, as Swansea City managed to sign Bayern Munich midfielder Renato Sanches on loan. The 20-year-old is regarded as one of the best young talents in the world and was sought after by all of the top clubs last summer. He ended up moving to the Allianz Arena for £27.5 million, but it was a culture shock for him and he failed to make the impact that many expected him to.
Carlo Ancelotti gave him a prominent role at the start of the season, but he struggled to adapt and he was withdrawn as they wanted to protect him. It was clear that he wasn’t ready for the elite level at this stage of his career and he needed to get games out of the spotlight. Paul Clement was the assistant coach at Bayern before taking the Swansea job and they trust him to develop the midfielder. This was an opportunity that the Swans couldn’t pass up.
What will he bring to Swansea City?
It is an unbelievable coup for the club to bring in a player with Sanches’ talent. The added bonus is that he has a point to prove and he will be desperate to emerge as one of the best midfielder’s in the league during his one-year loan. Swansea would have wanted to replace the star quality of Gylfi Sigurdsson before the deadline and the Portuguese international brings that in abundance.
Although Sanches is a different type of player than Sigurdsson, the club will be hoping that he can step into the Icelandic midfielder’s role as the key player of the team. He will take up a box-to-box midfield role, as this suits his style best. The 20-year-old is tireless in his work rate and has lots of energy in the middle of the park. During his time at Benfica, he was always calling for the ball and is willing to get stuck in when his side doesn’t have possession.
The Premier League looks to be a great fit for him, as he has the physicality and work rate to succeed in England. Sanches has an impressive turn of pace and his upper body strength lends itself to pushing past opposition players on the dribble. His end product and decision making are inconsistent, but he does have the quality to cause damage in the final third. Bayern Munich will hope that he can hone his game in South Wales and become a more polished player.
What does this signing show about the Premier League?
The money that is sloshing around in English football is leading to an increase in talent across the board. The mid-table clubs can now aspire to bring in players like Sanches. Although the Clement factor played a part, Swansea are a good club for the 20-year-old as they will give him regular football at a high level. The Premier League is physically demanding and a great technical league as well. Players want to test themselves in it and the league will continue to improve as long as the money increases.
Sanches is a quality player, playing with and against other quality players in the premier league arguably the best leauge in Europe is he ready for the challenge , we’ll see,but with Paul clement as his mentor he’s got an excellent chance. Clement is probably the best signing swansea has ever made.