Football League World
·26 July 2024
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·26 July 2024
FLW's Swansea fan pundit has given his verdict on the signing of Lawrence Vigouroux from Burnley
FLW’s Swansea City fan punditbelieves Lawrence Vigouroux will be a great addition to Luke Williams’ side this season.
The goalkeeper was confirmed as their latest signing ahead of the upcoming Championship campaign, which gets underway next month.
The 30-year-old has joined from Burnley, where he spent the last 12 months as a secondary option during the Clarets’ time in the Premier League.
The shot stopper failed to make an appearance in the top flight, but has previously been first-choice at Leyton Orient from 2020 to 2023.
He was a key part of the Orient side that gained promotion to League One in 2023, keeping 24 clean sheets from 45 appearances in the fourth tier (all stats from Fbref).
FLW’s Swansea fan pundit James Fleming believes that Vigouroux will be a smart signing for Williams’ side, citing his suitability to the manager’s style of play.
However, he has admitted that missing out on the return of Carl Rushworth on loan from Brighton is a blow.
“I think it’s a great signing for us,” Fleming told Football League World.
“Although people were complaining that he’s 30-years-old, and has yet to make an appearance above League One level, obviously his football at Swindon in League One was a long time ago.
“And also the fact that he didn’t play at all last season, it could be risky.
“But I think with the seasons he had at Leyton Orient, he showed exactly what he’s all about.
“Three player of the season awards in three years, in a row, for Leyton Orient, and also getting in the League Two team of the season with 24 clean sheets in their promotion year tells us all we need to know.
“Also Vincent Kompany was a big admirer of his passing play, which for Luke Williams’ system is going to be vital for our goalkeepers.
“And I think, with Andy Fisher, we needed an upgrade on him in goal and we’ve got that now with Vigouroux.
“As far as Carl Rushworth goes, we all would’ve loved Carl to come back to Swansea but I think it was never really realistic.
“Obviously we all love him here, but he’s probably above our level, if not above Championship level entirely now.
“I think he quite comfortably could be a Premier League goalkeeper this year, so overall happy with the signing of Vigouroux, and I think he’ll be a lot more important, a lot better than people think he will be for us.”
Vigouroux previously played at a League One level for Swindon during the 2016/17 campaign, but has never competed in the Championship.
At 30-years-of-age, this will be a big test for his ability to step up, and the year as part of the Burnley squad in the Premier League could prove crucial.
Vigouroux has become the third new signing for the Swans so far this summer, with Goncalo Franco and Ji-sung Eom also arriving.
Williams’ side get their new season underway with a trip to the Riverside on 10 August to face Middlesbrough.
If Vigouroux can make that step up to Championship football then this could prove a very shrewd signing for Swansea.
His comfort in possession will be important for Williams’ style of play, making him a good fit to come into the squad.
But his lack of experience at this level makes this a bit of a risk going into the new campaign.
Missing out on Rushworth is disappointing for supporters, but that is what can happen when loan players come in from the Premier League.