To enhance my 2016/17 Premier League projection I’m reviewing factors that may impact each team’s strength compared with last season, as explained here. Next up Swansea.

Last Season

After looking like they may become embroiled in a relegation battle, Swansea did well to ultimately finish 12th last season. Overall this position seems about right.

Player Turnover

To illustrate the relative strengths of key players joining and leaving, the numbers below compare defensive, passing and attacking strength against the average premier league player in 2015/16 (0% means at the same level as the average premier league player, greater than 0% is better and less than 0% is worse). Defensive assessment is the sum of defensive actions (tackles, interceptions, clearances and blocks). Passing is number of completed passes, and attacking strength is goals plus assists (all measured per match). This isn’t a robust statistical analysis, and can be skewed due to acquisition from a weaker league or lack of minutes played – but the purpose is to simply indicate the comparative strength of incoming and outgoing players.

So far no key player from last season have left, and the signing of Llorente should add to attacking potency.

European Competition

No. No change.

Management 

No. Francesco Guidolin was in charge from January 2016.

Overall assessment

Little change.

06/08/2016