Swansea City

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Gareth Vincent
BBC Sport Wales

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

If goals per league start is the best way of judging a striker's impact, then few could better Adam Idah's numbers in a Swansea City shirt.

The primary frustration for Idah after just over a year as a Swansea player will be that there have not been more league starts.

Idah began a Championship fixture for only the 11th time since swapping Celtic for south Wales as Swansea beat Burnley over the weekend.

The Republic of Ireland striker's early goal was his 10th in the league in Swansea colours.

It should be said that Idah has also made 21 Championship substitute appearances – and played three times in the EFL Cup – for the Welsh club.

But even with those games factored in, Idah's record is impressive.

Idah's first season at Swansea was badly disrupted by a serious hamstring injury and, even when he was fit, the form of Zan Vipotnik forced him to play a secondary role.

Even so, he finished 2026-27 averaging a goal every 138 minutes on the pitch, a record which was only bettered in the division by Championship leading scorer Vipotnik (one goal every 128 minutes).

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

The tables have turned in the early stages of this season, with Idah starting five of Swansea's seven league matches up front and Vipotnik beginning only two.

Idah has three league goals at a rate of one per 122 minutes of league playing time, while Vipotnik has two (one every 133 minutes on the pitch).

Idah rightly has the shirt in Swansea's attack right now, and will expect to lead the line again when they play their final game before the season's first international break at Lincoln City this Saturday.

The chances are that Vipotnik will replace Idah at some point in the second half at Sincil Bank, with Vitor Matos hoping both forwards will continue to fire.

"I like a lot both players," said the Swansea head coach.

"Both offer different things, both are working hard for the team.

"Then it's about professionalism, understanding each other and understanding that if all of them - not only the strikers, but midfielders as well - are committed with one idea, for sure good things will come."

We asked for your opinions after Swansea City's win over Burnley continued their eye-catching start to the new Championship season.

Having seen his side bounce back from defeat at Southampton - their first of the league campaign - with a 3-1 home victory, boss Vitor Matos said Swansea have shown are capable of competing with every side in the division.

Here are some of your views following the result that moved Swansea back into second in the table.

Rob: Great win! Encouraging display, hopefully we are still going to improve. Good work Vitor Matos!

Kel: At least the Swans got back on track after being beaten by Southampton.

Alun: Got there - just! Hardly a comfortable win - the ref didn't help, worst we've seen for ages! Can't understand why we don't defend wide and fail to have our 'centre-forward' (old fashioned I know) in the six-yard area more often. [Jamie] Vardy came on almost scored from inside the box. Might learn from that?

Roy: We will definitely be in the play-offs with this team. Up the Jacks!

Image source, PA Media

Vitor Matos says Ronald will always be "part of the family" at Swansea City after the Brazilian silenced critics with another bright cameo during Saturday's win over Burnley.

Ronald came close to joining Millwall earlier this month after Swansea agreed a fee – believed to be about £2m – with the London club.

But the deal collapsed on deadline day with the 25-year-old unable to agree personal terms, prompting social media flak for a player who has faced his share of criticism since joining Swansea in January 2024.

Though Swansea were prepared to sell Ronald, Matos has brought the former Estrela da Amadora player straight back into the first-team fold – and he has responded by continuing his bright start to the season.

Having scored as a substitute at Derby last month, Ronald came off the bench to provide a sharp assist for Zan Vipotnik's match-sealing third goal against the Clarets.

"I think since I've arrived here, Ronnie, he's unbelievable," Matos said.

"His wall of work… he just works so much. He has so much energy. He tries to help the team with everything he has.

Image source, PA Media

"He never changed - never changed in pre-season, never changed even with the situation of getting transferred or not.

"That's why I think he deserves all the credit, he deserves all the reward for coming off the bench and impacting games.

"I am really happy for him because he's a part of us, he's a part of the family. It will always be like that."

Ronald continues to play an important role under Matos despite the significant options Swansea now have out wide.

He was introduced against Burnley ahead of summer signing Joseph Opoku, who was an unused substitute, while on-loan Manchester City teenager Jeremy Monga was once again absent from Swansea's matchday squad.

After Vipotnik's goal, Swansea's players ran to celebrate with Ronald – while the home crowd sang the winger's name just minutes after his introduction had prompted grumbles from some in the stands.

Matos said Ronald deserves the backing of Swansea's fans, adding: "I think it's good when this connection starts growing.

"We are all human beings, we all have good and bad moments in life. The most important thing is how we fight the bad ones and find a way to come back again. That's what he did. I hope he can keep going like that."

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Swansea City have fingers crossed that Josh Key has not suffered a significant injury after the right-back was forced off during Saturday's 3-1 win over Burnley.

Key was substituted at half-time after complaining of discomfort in his hamstring.

But head coach Vitor Matos is hopeful that the 26-year-old has not done any serious damage.

"He felt uncomfortable on his hammy," Matos said.

"It doesn't seem anything special – [but] let's see the assessment."

Key has featured in all but one of Swansea's games this season, having shared right-back duties with Filip Lissah.

After some inconsistent form last term, the former Exeter player has looked back to his best in the early stages of 2026-27.

"I think how he brings the team up [the pitch], how he can break lines from the back through energy and speed is really important for us," Matos added.

"Of course he's a player that, because of that energy and because of that intensity, we need to manage. That's what we did in the last game [when he left on the bench at Southampton].

"It wasn't worth the risk [to keep him on the pitch against Burnley] when we have Fil, who came on and did a good game, again."

Swansea play their final game before the first international break of the season at Lincoln City next weekend.

Vitor Matos speaks after Swansea returned to second in the Championship table with a 3-1 win over Burnley.

Image source, Getty Images

Vitor Matos believes 39-year-old Jamie Vardy is still capable of making a mark in the Championship as the former England striker eyes a Burnley debut at Swansea City.

Vardy is set to be named in the Clarets squad to visit the Swansea.com Stadium, having joined Burnley this week after departing Italian club Cremonese.

And Swansea head coach Matos believes the former Leicester City frontman, who scored 200 goals in 500 Foxes appearances, still has the tools to thrive in the second tier.

"He is someone who understands how to score goals," said Matos, who is 14 months younger than Vardy.

"He moves really well - he always did that. He has a lot of talent - his finishing skills are there.

"Of course it's different when you are 39 compared to when you are 25, but the experience is there and when he has still the desire to play, of course he can have impact."

Burnley boss Nicky Hayen must hope Vardy's arrival will help inspire an upturn in fortune for the Clarets after their slow start to the season.

Relegated from the Premier League last term, the Lancashire side are in the Championship's bottom three having failed to win a league game in this campaign.

But Matos says Burnley's lowly position "doesn't really translate to how they are".

He describes Burnley as having a "really good squad, good players, new coach".

He added: "They are in this moment of adjusting themselves, but the quality is there.

"I think there were games where they could have had more… but it is an early stage in the season still and I really expect a good game from them."

After losing top spot in the Championship on Tuesday, Swansea City defend their unbeaten home record against Burnley on Saturday (15:00 BST).

The Clarets did lift themselves off the bottom of the table in midweek but have failed to win any of their opening six matches since relegation from the Premier League last season.

• Swansea have lost their past four league games against Burnley, their longest losing run to the Clarets.

• Burnley have won on their past two league visits to Swansea, the only time they have won twice in a row away to the Welsh club in league competition.

• Swansea are the only side yet to concede at home in the Championship this season (three games). Only in 2011-12 in the Premier League have they kept a clean sheet in their opening four home matches of a league campaign.

• Burnley have failed to win their opening six games of a league campaign outside the top flight (D3 L3) for just the fourth time, after 1977-78 (nine games, second tier), 1979-80 (16 games, second tier), and 1997-98 (10 games, third tier).

• Although Burnley have conceded a league-high 13 goals in the Championship this season, their xGA (expected goals against) total is 8.6 (14th best). Their 4.4 more goals conceded than xGA faced is the biggest difference of any side in the division in 2026-27.

Image source, Swansea City

Swansea City supporters have voted to alter the club's primary crest, opting to remove the text from the main badge starting from the 2027-28 season.

The change will see the home shirt display a streamlined swan crest without the club's name, mirroring the design featured on the current away, third, and pre-season kits.

Variants of this minimalist crest have been featured on Swansea City kits in various forms since 1998, but regulations state the primary badge must feature on home shirts.

In a statement, the Championship club confirmed that 66 per cent of supporters voted in favour of the update or expressed satisfaction with either option, following a series of fan consultation meetings and detailed surveys.

A total of 34 per cent voted against the proposal.

The badge on Swansea's current pinstripe home kit is enclosed by a circle because of regulations linked to the size of the 'Swansea City AFC' text

The current badge featuring the club's name will not disappear entirely and will instead shift to become the Swans' official secondary crest.

The club also plan to introduce the text-free design across its digital platforms, including its official website and mobile app during the 2026-27 season.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Vitor Matos believes Lawrence Vigouroux can reach the Premier League with Swansea City as the goalkeeper prepares to face the club, who did not give him a chance in the top flight.

Vigouroux made his 100th Swansea appearance in midweek, as Swansea lost at Southampton, having excelled since arriving from Burnley in the summer of 2024.

The 32-year-old joined the Clarets from Leyton Orient in 2023 but did not make an appearance during one year with the then Premier League club.

Vigouroux had never played at Championship level before joining Swansea, but has been so successful in Wales that Matos argues there is no better keeper in the second tier.

"He's someone that doesn't need to be involved a lot to make an unbelievable save," the Swansea head coach said.

"So when you want to be dominant like us and try to push the opposition team back to their own half by pressing, and having imposed yourselves with the ball as well, you need a goalkeeper who can still be on [alert] when he's not touching the ball for a long period of time.

"He's this kind of goalie, and he can offer you a lot in terms of controlling the space and communication, so he's someone that I really like and for many reasons."

Swansea host Burnley on Saturday (15:00 BST) with Vigouroux looking for a fifth clean sheet in seven league games this season.

The Chile international was a fringe figure during his spell at Turf Moor, when James Trafford and Arijanet Muric were ahead of him in the pecking order under Vincent Kompany.

Former Liverpool youngster Vigouroux has impressed in all three tiers of the EFL, having had long spells at Orient and Swindon Town earlier in his career.

When asked whether his number one has the ability to complete the set by playing in the top division, Matos said: "Yeah, well I hope he will be in the Premier League with us."

Image source, EFL

Head coach Vitor Matos has saluted the efforts of his players and backroom staff after being named Championship manager of the month for August.

Swansea were the early-season pacesetters in the second tier, with Matos' side taking seven points from their three league games in August.

They claimed successive away wins, at Stoke City and Derby County, either side of a goalless draw at home against Sheffield United.

It is the first manager of the month prize in the career of former Liverpool coach Matos, who took charge at Swansea last November.

"It says manager but I think it's more a club or a staff award," Matos said.

"It relies on the players and on the staff here, the job everyone did since I've arrived in terms of support, how everyone bought into everything and is trying to improve every day and do the best possible.

"We are of course really happy, but now it's about the next steps."

Charlton's Nathan Jones, Wolves boss Cesar Peixoto and QPR's Julien Stephan were also nominated for the award.

Southampton striker Cyle Larin won the player of the month prize.

Image source, Getty Images

Swansea City boss Vitor Matos has been named the Championship's manager of the month for August.

The 38-year-old helped his side take seven points from their opening three games of the season last month.

Matos was appointed Swansea boss in November 2025 and has won 17 of his 38 games in charge.

Charlton's Nathan Jones, Cesar Peixoto of Wolves and QPR head coach Julien Stephan were also nominated for the award.

Image source, Getty Images

Charlton Athletic boss Nathan Jones, Swansea's Vitor Matos, Cesar Peixoto of Wolves and QPR head coach Julien Stephan have been nominated for August's Championship manager of the month award.

Jones led Charlton to the top of the table with three wins from their opening three games.

Swansea made an unbeaten start under Matos with their seven points including victories over Stoke City and Derby County.

In his first season in charge of Wolves, Cesar Peixoto also started with seven points from the first three games of the campaign as they seek an immediate return to the Premier League.

QPR have made an encouraging start to the new season and went through August unbeaten with Julien Stephan overseeing away wins at Portsmouth and Blackburn Rovers.

The winner of the season's first award will be announced on Friday, 11 September.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Vitor Matos says Ronald is looking to the future at Swansea City after the collapse of his proposed move to Millwall.

Swansea agreed to sell their Brazilian winger to the Lions on transfer deadline day earlier this month only for the move to collapse over personal terms.

The 25-year-old is under contract at Swansea until the summer of 2027, though the deal features an option for a further 12 months.

He has come straight back into the fold after the Millwall deal fell through, featuring on the bench in last weekend's draw against Wrexham and coming on as a half-time substitute during Tuesday's defeat at Southampton.

"I think Ronnie is full of desire, full of hard work - we needed a player like that on the pitch in the second half [at Southampton]," said Swansea head coach Matos.

"He comes on, goes straight to situations where we pressed unbelievably well to make Southampton uncomfortable. That's what we wanted, to give them uncomfortable moments as well.

"Ronnie is a player with that [ability], that's why he came on. I am happy that he came on with that hunger and really looking forward for the future."

Ronald has scored 12 goals in 116 appearances since joining Swansea in January 2024.

While there have been some question marks over his end product, the former Estrela da Amadora player has been picked regularly - by three different bosses - throughout his time in Wales.

He has been involved in this week's game ahead of Jeremy Monga, the highly rated 17-year-old who joined Swansea on loan from Manchester City on loan earlier this month.

Both Ronald and Monga may be in contention to feature when the Swans host Burnley on Saturday with fellow winger Eom Jisung now away with South Korea at the Asian Games.

We asked for your opinions after Swansea City suffered their first defeat of the Championship season at Southampton on Tuesday.

Having conceded only once in their first five league games of 2026-27, Swansea were breached three times at St Mary's as they were knocked off the top of the table.

Here are some of your views.

Christian: Matos needs to return to the back four that has done so well since [Ben] Cabango and [Cameron] Burgess got injured. [Eli] Just also not seen to be offering much as all at present. [Stephen] Welsh continues to be excellent. Tactics found out a bit against Southampton. We left so much space at times from pressing that a quality side exploited.

Oz: False dawn. We were undone by a team willing to attack us. I understand Vitor Matos needs to rotate to keep fresh, but to not start your most effective team is criminal. We can still be competitive at the business end of the Championship, but play our best players; [we] shouldn't need to rotate after six games.

Edwin: Saints fan here, impressed with Swansea, who will be in the mix at the end of the season.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Vitor Matos says Zeidane Inoussa could leave Swansea City after the winger was omitted from the Welsh side's English Football League (EFL) squad list.

Clubs can lodge a maximum of 25 senior players who can feature in the first half of the season, but Swansea opted to fill only 24 spaces in the squad submitted to the EFL following the summer transfer window.

Inoussa, 24, came close to joining Portsmouth on English football's transfer deadline day earlier this month, only for a proposed loan switch to Fratton Park to fall through.

But Matos says that with windows in some countries - including Greece, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia and Saudi Arabia - still open, Inoussa may yet depart.

"At the moment some markets are still open so let's see how it ends up," the Swansea head coach said.

"The space is still there [in the 25-man squad], and when everything is more settled we will assess and see for sure what the situation will be."

Inoussa, who is under contract at Swansea until 2030, was linked with a loan move to Osijek earlier this week, but Croatia's transfer window has now closed.

Swansea say reports in Croatia that he failed a medical are inaccurate because no deal was agreed between the clubs.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

The Swans paid a significant fee to sign Inoussa from BK Hacken in the summer of 2025, but the former Sweden Under-21 international has had a limited impact in the Championship.

Inoussa scored once in 29 Swansea appearances last season, and did not feature after January due to a stress fracture in his back.

With competition in Matos' squad fierce for game-time out wide, Inoussa has not been involved so far in 2026-27.

"We all want to have all the players here, but in the end all the players want to play, and Zeidane deserves nothing more than respect from our side," Matos added.

"So if he wants, I think he deserves to play to prove himself, to have game-time.

"It's important for him because of what happened last season in terms of coming back from injury at the end of the season, so he needs that. We are here to support him and then let's see how it goes."

While Inoussa has been left out of Swansea's initial EFL squad, clubs are allowed to add players further down the line if required.