Luke Williams’ resilient Swansea City search for cutting edge

Swansea opted against pushing to re-sign Jamal Lowe, scorer of nine goals while on loan from Bournemouth last season.

Lowe was joint-leading scorer alongside Jerry Yates, who was sent on loan to Derby County after a campaign in which he never looked particularly settled.

Jamie Paterson, scorer of eight goals last term and one of Swansea’s chief creators, also departed in the summer after failing to agree a new deal.

Swansea looked around the planet to freshen up their forward line, but as yet their new recruits have not fired.

Eom Ji-Sung has been the brightest of their attacking signings, though the South Korean is yet to score in English football and will not for a while after being ruled out for six weeks through injury.

Winger Florian Bianchini, brought in from Bastia for about £2m, looks a player who is still trying to get to grips with life in the Championship, and the same could be said of striker Zan Vipotnik.

The Slovenia international has apparently impressed with his finishing on the training ground, but has made little impact on the pitch since scoring on his home league debut against Preston in August.

Attacking midfielder Myles Peart-Harris, signed on loan from Brentford on deadline day, is another trying to establish himself in the Championship, while Goncalo Franco has not yet scored in Swansea colours despite some dynamic displays in midfield.

As a result Swansea have been left looking primarily to Brazilian winger Ronald – who has no league goal this season – and Liam Cullen for inspiration.

Cullen is a hard-working forward who can be expected to chip in with goals – he leads the way for his club this term with three – but it is asking a lot to expect the Wales international to make the sort of contribution Swansea have been lacking since Joel Piroe left for Leeds in 2023.