"I hope the ownership realise that" - Swansea City told they cannot make transfer mistake | OneFootball

Swansea City have been advised to avoid selling one player in particular this summer

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Swansea City will be looking to continue their flying form from the end of last term into the 2025/26 campaign.

Alan Sheehan picked up points in 10 of his 13 games in charge of the Swans last term, with the Welsh outfit becoming one of the Championship’s most competitive sides as the season ended.

Finishing just seven points shy of the play-offs, Swansea must ensure that they don’t allow any of their best players to leave the club unless the fee is unrefusable.

Football League World’s Swansea City fan pundit, Will Hughes, has highlighted one player in particular that Sheehan must not let go of this summer.

Swansea City told to avoid Goncalo Franco sale

“I've said this before, and I'll say it again, we can’t lose Goncalo Franco,” explained Will.

“Just for the type of player that he is. He was a cut above the rest last season, and I trust he'll just get better with age. No doubt there will be interest in him because he is that good a player. He's just an all-around excellent person to have in your squad.

“He never stops running, never pulls out of tackles. I've described him as a battering ram in that midfield. He covers every blade of grass and he's such a useful player to have. We talk about the things that he can add to his game, maybe goals, maybe a bit more of a creative presence.

“But if he turned around and was putting in the same performances as he did last season, I think Swans’ fans would be happy. But if he can get better and add more to his game in maybe attacking areas, then you are looking at a top, top player. He's a top player anyway, but you're looking at an even bigger player.

“So, I think even though we brought in Ethan Galbraith and Melker Widell, who are two fantastic midfielders in their own right, I think if you chuck Franco in there with them, you've got the best midfield in the division. There's no need to sell Franco yet.

“He's got three years left on his current contract. We shouldn't be in any rush to sell him. There are other players that we have sold, and we are in the process of selling others so money has come off the wage bill.

“I hope the ownership realise that and if he were to go, I'm sure we’d get a good transfer fee for him. But as I say, I think we would be better off keeping him for at least another season to develop him. To not only benefit us on the pitch, but for him to develop himself so if he was to go in the future, we’d get a bigger transfer fee for him.”

Selling Goncalo Franco would leave a hole in Swansea City’s midfield

If Sheehan and Co. want to take Swansea’s flying form into the new season, they need to keep hold of their prize assets.

Franco made 40 appearances for the Swans last term and was a consistently strong performer throughout.

Breaking up play excellently in the middle of the park, the 24-year-old won over six duels and made over five recoveries a game for the Welsh outfit in the 2024/25 campaign, highlighting the level he was operating at.

This would be incredibly hard to replace, although Swansea would likely receive a handsome fee for his services.

Therefore, the Swans must heed Will’s advice and retain the Portuguese magnifico this summer.