Swansea City

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Head coach Vitor Matos says a summer of transfer speculation has not been easy for Zan Vipotnik as the Slovenia striker waits to see whether he will stay at Swansea City.

Vipotnik has been linked with a move having finished the 2025-26 season as the Championship's 23-goal leading scorer.

But as the clock ticks down until Tuesday's 23:00 BST transfer deadline, Swansea say they have received no offers for Vipotnik since Hull City had a bid of about £10m rejected earlier this month.

Vipotnik has featured in Swansea's three games so far this season and should again be involved at Derby County on Saturday.

But head coach Matos says rumours over a potential transfer are "never easy" for a player.

"Of course there is always a lot of noise regarding his future and how it will be," Matos said.

"He is a lovely kid with a really big heart, a good professional, but of course it is not easy. Before anything they are human beings and we need to take care of that part.

"But so far what I've seen is he's committed, he's training well, he's always in a good mood, especially because he went to the PFA [Awards] and received another award. So yeah, he's dealing in the best way possible I would say."

Swansea have consistently said they are under no pressure to sell Vipotnik, who signed a new long-term contract in March.

Nevertheless, the club have effectively prepared for the forward's possible departure by bringing in Ross Stewart this summer.

As a result, should a big enough bid arrive before the window closes, they could be willing to sell.

When asked whether Swansea may draw the line at some point and declare that Vipotnik is not for sale, Matos said: "I think we will only say that when the transfer window is closed, but that's the same regarding every player."

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A win for Swansea City in this meeting with Derby County (12:30 BST) could send the Welsh side top of the Championship.

The Rams are hoping to record their first win of the campaign after defeat by Charlton and a draw against the Swans' rivals Cardiff City.

• Derby County did the league double over Swansea City last season (2-1 away, 2-0 home) but have never won three in a row against the Swans in the Football League.

• Swansea City have won just one of their past seven Championship away games against Derby County (D2 L4), a 2-1 victory in November 2024.

• Derby have won six of their past eight home league games, though are winless across their past two (D1 L1) which includes a 2-2 draw against Welsh opponents Cardiff last time out at Pride Park.

• Swansea are unbeaten across their past five away league games (W3 D2), last enjoying a longer run on the road between February and November 2020 (11 games).

• Derby's Carlton Morris has scored three goals across his past five league appearances against Swansea City, while he also netted against Welsh side Cardiff City last time out.

Luke Hemmings
BBC Sport Wales

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Swansea City Women will play three Adran Premier fixtures at the Swansea.com Stadium during phase one of the new season.

The first opportunity to showcase women's football at the club's main stadium will be against Cardiff Metropolitan on Sunday, 20 September.

Briton Ferry Llansawel visit a month later on Sunday, 18 October before the final phase one home game against The New Saints on Sunday, 17 January.

All three fixtures kick-off at 15:00 BST.

The women last played at the Swansea.com Stadium in their opening two home games in 2024.

The Swans will kick off the new season with a south Wales derby against Cardiff City at Garden Village Park on Sunday, 6 September (17:15 BST).

They will be looking to build on last season's third-place finish, in what was head coach Yzzy Taylor's first full campaign in charge.

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Vitor Matos says his forwards will be judged purely on form as Zan Vipotnik, Adam Idah and Ross Stewart compete for game-time at Swansea City this season.

Vipotnik was the top scorer in the Championship in 2025-26, but his sparkling form last term did not save the Slovenia international from being left out of Matos' starting side in last weekend's draw with Sheffield United.

Vipotnik had begun Swansea's opening-day victory over Stoke City, but was substituted after a low-key display as Idah came on to Swansea's winner at the Bet365 Stadium.

Republic of Ireland international Idah was picked against the Blades and produced an effective display before Vipotnik and new recruit Ross Stewart featured as substitute.

"It's about performance, nothing more," said Swansea head coach Matos.

"That doesn't change for striker, midfielder or winger.

"Who we use, when they are all in shape and on their best moment, it will depend on the opposition. When one is in a better moment than the other, then it's about us taking the best of that one and then we keep moving, like in all the positions."

Questions remain over whether Vipotnik will still be a Swansea player after the transfer window closes next Tuesday.

Regardless of the transfer situation, Idah may be favourite to start at Derby County on Saturday given the solid shift he put in last time out.

"I think Adam gave us the physicality we knew we needed on that position because of the man marking and because of the one-v-one on the last line," Matos said.

"We didn't really connect the way we wanted to find him in the best moment, but he offered a lot.

"I think he was quite important to push the team to the opposition half and that's what we gained with him."

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Swansea City striker Zan Vipotnik has been named in the Championship team of the season at the Professional Footballers' Association Awards.

Vipotnik was voted into the team by fellow players having finished as the 23-goal top scorer in the English second tier in 2025-26.

The Slovenia international was one of three forwards in the team alongside Coventry City's Haji Wright and Femi Azeez of Millwall.

Coventry's former Swansea goalkeeper Carl Rushworth was included alongside Sky Blues defenders Milan van Ewijk and Bobby Thomas, with Millwall's Tristan Crama and Taylor Harwood-Bellis, of Southampton, completing the back four.

Ex-Swansea captain Matt Grimes was voted into a midfield also featuring Coventry team-mate Jack Rudoni and Hayden Hackney, who left Middlesbrough for Everton last month.

Vipotnik has been the subject of continued transfer speculation this summer but remains at Swansea as the clock ticks down towards next Tuesday's transfer deadline.

The PFA Awards were held in Manchester on Tuesday, with Bruno Fernandes crowned men's player of the year and Manchester City forward Khadija Shaw taking the top women's award.

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Lee Trundle would like to see Swansea City dip into the loan market for a "proper centre-half" after recent injuries to Ben Cabango and Cameron Burgess.

Club captain Cabango was forced off the field midway through the second half of Swansea's 0-0 draw with Sheffield United on Saturday after injuring his heel.

The 26-year-old could therefore join Burgess, who looks to be out for the season with a serious Achilles injury, on the unavailable list.

Swans boss Vitor Matos has stated his desire to add depth at centre-back, and Trundle wants someone capable of starting regularly in the Championship.

"Because of the injuries to Cabango and Burgess, who is out long term, Swansea will have to get a better calibre of player in," Trundle said on BBC's Feast of Football Podcast.

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"If you've already got them [available], and you're wanting a bit of cover, you can just go and get someone that would be happy to be on the bench.

"Now, they have to go and get a proper centre-half."

Cabango's injury forced a rework in defence, with right-back Filip Lissah (pictured above) shuffled across to play alongside summer recruit Stephen Welsh.

Loan signing Tiago Parente also has experience playing at centre-back, albeit in a back three, but is viewed internally at Swansea as cover at left-back.

Trundle, who made over 200 English Football League appearances, feels his former side would be running a risk if they were to rely on an inexperienced option.

"Lissah moved into centre-half on the weekend and did well, but as a young kid coming into the Championship, I'd be pulling on him all of the time."

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Vitor Matos has indicated that Florian Bianchini is unlikely to get game time in his team as Swansea City wait to see whether the forward will move on in this transfer window.

Swansea paid French second-tier club Bastia almost £2m to secure Bianchini's services in the summer of 2024.

But the 25-year-old has struggled to make an impression in English football.

Bianchini, who can play out wide or up front, scored three goals in 38 appearances – only eight of which were league starts – in 2024-25 before being sent on loan to Portsmouth last season.

He played only 11 times for Pompey between August and November 2025 before his season was curtailed thanks in part to a knee injury.

"I think it is important for him to find a place where he feels the value of his football," Matos said.

Bianchini is under contract at Swansea until 2028, but Matos will not stand in the former Amiens player's way should he secure a move before the 1 September transfer deadline.

Even if a move does not come to fruition before the window closes, Matos has hinted that Bianchini and Swansea could part ways.

"I think things will be more clear when the window is closed," the Swansea head coach added.

"Then we see what happens and if he leaves the club. If that doesn't happen, then we need to speak and see what is the best."

Bianchini has featured for Swansea's under-21s, playing in both the Premier League Cup and Premier League Professional Development League this season.

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Chris Wilder thinks Swansea City will be a tough nut to crack at home this season after his Sheffield United side left the Swansea.com Stadium with a point.

United made it two goalless draws from two Championship games this season thanks to a gritty display on Saturday.

The Blades came closest to finding a breakthrough when Callum O'Hare struck the woodwork in what was a forgettable contest.

After leaving with a point, the vastly experienced Wilder said he had tweaked his team's approach to cope with the threat of a Swansea team who were able to introduce Zan Vipotnik and Ross Stewart as second-half substitutes.

"Swansea got off to a fabulous start last week [by winning at Stoke] and they recruited very well in the summer," Wilder said.

"Players that they're bringing on, you look at top scorer in the division [last season] coming on and Ross Stewart, who I've known for a long time.

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"I tried to sign him (Stewart) in my time at Middlesbrough. He is one of the top centre forwards in the division. We changed the shape of the team a little bit to navigate our way through."

Wilder praised his players for not "getting fazed" as they tackled what he described as a "really dominant, possession-based" Swansea team under Vitor Matos.

"I really like the manager," he added.

"Everybody sets up differently and Swansea is going to be a difficult place for teams to come and get a result.

"They had a fabulous start last week - they fully deserved a win at Stoke who obviously spent a lot of money in the transfer window as well.

"Swansea have improved their team as well, lost a [key] player [in Ethan Galbraith] but brought some good players in as well."

Swansea have enjoyed a solid start to the Championship by winning at Stoke and then sharing the spoils with Sheffield United.

A Carabao Cup defeat by Birmingham means they have no midweek fixture, giving Vitor Matos plenty of time to prepare for Saturday's trip to face a Derby County side who drew with Cardiff.

The Swans have defensive concerns after Ben Cabango went off against the Blades, with Cameron Burgess already at risk of missing the entire season.

How much do Swansea's hopes for the campaign hinge on getting defensive reinforcements? What would you do if a big offer was to come in for Zan Vipotnik?

On the field, does anyone deserve a crack against the Swans or is it so far, so good?

Let us know what you think by clicking here.

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Vitor Matos says the transfer market is like a "chess game in the middle of a storm" as Swansea City attempt to do business before the 1 September transfer deadline.

Swansea have made five permanent signings and sealed one loan deal this summer, but remain in the hunt for new faces as the end of the window comes into view.

The Swans are looking to strengthen in central midfield and at centre-back, with the need for a defender looking increasingly great after Ben Cabango limped off with injury during Saturday's draw with Sheffield United.

While the extent of Cabango's injury is not known yet, Swansea already look light in defence having lost Cameron Burgess to a ruptured Achilles.

But when asked after the Blades game whether progress is being made on potential transfer deals, Matos said: "I saw the Porto manager said something two or three weeks ago that the market now is like a chess game.

"I will say it is a chess game in the middle of a storm. So let's see how it goes, I don't know."

Asked whether Swansea were doing well in the chess game, Matos added: "It's still not check-mate!"

Defender Stephen Welsh, attacking midfielder Elijah Just, wingers Joseph Opoku and Moussa Yeo and striker Ross Stewart have arrived at Swansea since the end of last season, while left-back Tiago Parente was brought in on loan to provide cover for Josh Tymon.

Swansea have sold Ethan Galbrath, Ricardo Santos, Liam Cullen, Cameron Congreve and youngster Kyrell Wilson, while Sam Parker, Ollie Cooper and Bobby Wales have departed on loan and Florian Bianchini would be allowed to leave should the opportunity arise.

Swansea also said farewell to Joel Ward and loanees Malick Yalcouye, Gustavo Nunes and Ishe Samuels-Smith at the end of last season.

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Swansea City host Sheffield United on Saturday (15:00 BST) with Vitor Matos urging his players to set the tone for their fans in the opening home Championship game of the new season.

Swansea were formidable on their own patch following the appointment of Matos as head coach last November.

Having struggled in the early stages of 2025-26, Matos' side banked 30 points from 15 league fixtures at the Swansea.com Stadium as they pulled clear of a potential relegation scrap to finish in mid-table.

He wants more of the same this season – and wants his side to set the standards as they take on the Blades.

"We want to be a team that no-one feels comfortable to play against, and especially at our stadium," the Portuguese said.

"We need that connection between the fans and the squad and it's up to us as a team to give the first step by showing energy, by showing intensity, by showing hard work, by showing our football.

"Then the fans give it back and that connection is really important for us. It was really important last season and will be really important this season as well."

Swansea were beaten on their own ground by Birmingham City in the EFL Cup a fortnight ago.

But they take on Sheffield United having made the ideal start to the new Championship campaign by winning at Stoke City last Saturday.

Matos expects a stern test against Chris Wilder's team, who finished 13th last season, two places and four points below Swansea.

"Chris is a really experienced manager who knows the league really well," Matos said.

"Every time his teams are really competitive and they have a clear plan of what to do on the pitch, so we count on a difficult game.

"We need to find a way to impose our game and that's what we will try."

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Vitor Matos says it is "clear" what is required as Swansea City look to put the finishing touches to their squad in the final stages of the transfer window.

Swansea have made five permanent signings so far this summer, with defender Stephen Welsh, attacking midfielder Elijah Just, wingers Joseph Opoku and Moussa Yeo and striker Ross Stewart moving to the Welsh club.

They have also brought in left-back Tiago Parente on loan, leaving centre-back and central midfield as the two areas where Matos remains keen to strengthen.

The need for a new face at the heart of defence has increased after Cameron Burgess (pictured above) suffered an Achilles injury which is likely to rule him out for the season.

"It's clear the profile [Swansea want], so it's now about finding the right ones and seeing which possibilities arise for us," Matos said.

"The market is still open, that means we as a club always try to see if there are opportunities and possibilities to improve the squad in terms of strengths and profiles.

"If it happens, it will happen, if it does not happen, it will not happen. Let's see."

Young striker Bobby Wales has become the latest player to leave Swansea this summer after he completed a loan move to Scottish Premiership side Dundee.

The Swans have sold Liam Cullen, Cameron Congreve and youngster Kyrell Wilson, while Sam Parker and Ollie Cooper have also departed on loan.

Florian Bianchini is among the other fringe players who could leave, but Matos says Zeidane Inoussa remains in his plans even though the Swedish winger has not been involved so far this season.

"He's part of the squad," Matos said.

"It's just with the possibilities we have at the moment, he was not in the squad for the first game [at Stoke]. Let's see for the next one."

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Striker Bobby Wales says Dundee manager Steven Pressley has given him "belief" after moving to Dens Park on a season-long loan from Swansea City.

The 21-year-old arrives after fellow forward and Dundee captain Simon Murray, 34, was ruled out for an extended period with an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

Scotland Under-21 cap Wales started his career at Kilmarnock, had a productive loan spell at Alloa Athletic and then joined Swansea last summer.

He has made only five substitute appearances for the Welsh club, scoring once, and also struggled for game time on loan at Huddersfield in the second half of last season.

All in all, Wales has scored 21 goals in 84 senior appearances.

"I'm familiar with my surroundings and the league," Wales told club media. "I'm just really happy to be playing football again.

"I want to try and score as many goals as I can. I don't think I've had a chat with a manager that has given me this much belief before."

Wales could make his debut in Saturday's Scottish Premiership trip to face city rivals Dundee United.

"You couldn't ask for a better game to start with and go and make a statement," he added. "As a team I believe we can do well."

Pressley is "very excited" to be working with Wales.

"He's a young player with high potential and already a proven track record within the Scottish Premiership," said the manager.

"It's our job to make him a better player and we think he's got big potential and a high ceiling."

Gareth Vincent
BBC Sport Wales

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Championship football returns to the Swansea.com Stadium on Saturday with Vitor Matos hoping for more of the same on home soil this season.

Having begun the new league campaign with a rousing victory at Stoke City, Swansea will aim to make it two second-tier wins from two when Sheffield United come to south Wales.

Beyond the Blades' visit, the goal for Swansea is to replicate the sort of consistency on home soil which was key to their progress under Matos last season.

When he took charge last November, Swansea had taken only nine points from their first eight home league games.

Despite defeat first up against Derby County, Matos' Swans claimed 30 points from 15 home fixtures in 2025-26.

During the period Matos was at the helm, only Coventry City and Ipswich Town – the two sides who won automatic promotion – and Southampton claimed more home Championship points than Swansea.

It was a laudable effort for a side who looked vulnerable when Matos took the reins.

Should Swansea manage two points per home game throughout 2026-27, they will give themselves a serious chance of mounting a play-off push.

The 2-1 victory at Stoke City last weekend was the first time Swansea have won their opening league game of a season in the past six years.

It is eight years since the Swans won their first two matches of an EFL campaign and they come up against a Sheffield United side who were held 0-0 at home by Birmingham City last weekend.

• Swansea City have won just one of their past eight league meetings with Sheffield United (D2 L5), though it was a 1-0 home win last season.

• Sheffield United failed to win either of their league games against Swansea City last term (D1 L1) but they have not gone three in a row without victory against the Swans over consecutive seasons since 1956-57/1957-58.

• Swansea have won each of their past two opening home games of a league campaign, including a 1-0 win over Sheffield United last season. The Swans last won more in succession between 1995-1999 (five wins).

• Sheffield United have won their first away game in just one of their past 14 league campaigns (D3 L10 since 2012-13), beating Preston North End 2-0 in 2024-25.

• On the opening day of the 2026-27 Championship season, Sheffield United recorded the fewest overall shots of any side (3), while also amassing a total of just 0.29 xG (Expected Goals) – their lowest in the league since registering 0.24 vs Leeds in October 2024.