While Swansea City brace themselves for the loss of Gylfi Sigurdsson, Paul Clement has insisted the arrival of Roque Mesa is a sign of what to expect from his side.
Swansea will quickly move on to the contingency plans in place for a new No.10 when – more than if – Everton come up with the cash to take Sigurdsson to Goodison.
The pressure will be on for the Swans to get it right, given the importance of the position.
But the capture of £11m Mesa – a player lauded in La Liga and wanted by Champions League outfits – is being seen as an indication of Swansea getting back on track with their transfers.
Clement was at the helm when green lights were given on the signings of Martin Olsson, Tom Carroll and Jordan Ayew, three January additions that all played their part in survival and restored confidence in Swansea’s recruitment.
A previously impressive transfer strategy had fallen apart in recent years, rightfully criticised and playing a significant part in struggles for form and identity that followed.
But the signing of Mesa from Las Palmas has given greater hope that Swansea have gone back to what they know – something underlined by the Spaniard’s brief appearance at Barnet.
“Roque is a very technical player who suits Swansea City – he is the type of player we are looking to bring to the club,” said Clement.
“He has a reputation for being really good in possession of the ball, which he has showed at Las Palmas, and it says something about the way I want us to play football and also about the tradition this club has.
“The club have tried to recruit players who first and foremost have good technical ability. He definitely fits that profile.
“He didn’t play long at Barnet, but he gave us a nice rhythm when he came on, he used the ball well and helped us be fluent in our play.
“Even in that brief appearance, you could see straight away he is a typical Swansea player with being so confident on the ball. Immediately our rhythm improved – it was so much better – and that’s what we’re looking for from that position.
“It may be him there, or Leon Britton, or someone else like Jay Fulton for example, and Roque can play in other positions.
“But what it shows is the type of players we want.”
Mesa was wanted by Sevilla, Roma and Atletico Madrid – as well as being eyed up by a whole host of others having also been linked to Tottenham and Liverpool in the past – but Clement’s firm admiration and insistence of Mesa having a key role in his side helped Swansea get their man.
Although not a household name, he has wowed Spanish football observers, all of whom are adamant Swansea have a real gem on their hands and should be able to make the transition to the Premier League well.
But as they seek further reinforcements, the fact Swansea have gone back to their policy of signing Swansea-like players not necessarily on the radar of others bodes well – especially as they consider looking for a new attacking midfielder as the Sigurdsson saga looks like ending in a record-breaking move to Merseyside.
Just as it’s all positive signs that, after the short-term job of securing survival last season, Clement is looking to push on with a return to Swansea’s old ways.
“Roque was a big investment, especially for that position,” said Clement. “We want Swansea-like players. I’m working with Huw Jenkins and the owners to make sure that the type of players we recruit are very much in line with the club’s philosophy and also my ideas of how I want the team to play and I think that’s shown in the signing of Roque Mesa.
Regardless of Sigurdsson’s situation, Clement said he was “actively looking at a couple of things” and while no deals are believed to be close, the Swans boss said he was confident that two more signings were possible before the start of the new Premier League season at Southampton on August 12.
The plan is – as shown with Mesa – to look to both the now and the future, a challenging aim but something that is key to making sure Swansea get out of any cycle of expensive short-term fixes.
Mesa is hopefully that start, showing all the right signs at Barnet last week ahead of the trip to America where Swansea face three games, starting with MLS outfit Philadelphia Union – a game that kicks off in the early hours of Sunday morning UK time.
He showed a touch of class and quality on the ball and a hunger and awareness to receive it when out of possession, playing in a deep-laying role.
It is a position normally associated with Leon Britton, the club captain whose return to the side at the end of last season was so significant.
But while Clement says the arrival of Mesa is a signpost to the style he wants, he insists the systems can change.
Swansea ended last season in a diamond having previously used the more club standard 4-2-3-1, with Clement adamant he wants a flexibility this term.
“People talk of Roque being a replacement for Leon, but I think Leon can still contribute at this level which is why we gave him a new contract," added the manager.
“We have options. Roque can play on the right of a three man midfield; I saw him do it against Barcelona in the season just gone.
“I do think at the moment his best position is in the middle but the time in America does give us a chance to work on different systems and ways of approaching games.”
Just as the ten-day stay on the east coast of the US will give Clement time to up fitness, sharpness and – important given its role in the fight against relegation – team spirit, with Mesa and fellow new boy Tammy Abraham being integrated into things while the other side of the Atlantic.
“This is a period we hope will be good for us for a number of reasons,” Clement added.
“It is going to be very busy – we have a significant amount of travelling to do as well as three games to play.
“But the trip gives us the chance to continue our physical preparation and our tactical preparation ahead of the new season, and it also gives us a chance to build a really strong team spirit.
"When you are away with each other 24/7 that’s obviously something you can work on, and that is important.”
Swansea also face US second tier teams Richmond Kickers and North Carolina before returning home, where pre-season will finish with games against Birmingham and Sampdoria.
