Swansea City have struggled this season defensively, they haven’t kept a clean sheet since drawing 0-0 against Everton in mid-September, and their only other clean sheet in the Premier League this season came against Newcastle on the second week of the season. Swansea have conceded 14 goals since their last clean sheet, and in total the team has conceded 19 times in the league.
Manager Garry Monk has recently made changes to the defensive personnel in his starting 11, for the Swans’ last two games, former Arsenal youngster Kyle Bartley has displaced Federico Fernandez but failed to make a positive impression, with many Swansea fans asking for the Argentine to be reinstated.
Linked with Swansea
With Monk sensing that change is needed in defence, it makes sense that the Daily Mail claims that Swansea are interested in the England under-21 international and have sent scouts to monitor his progress.
Swansea face competition to sign Keane though, according to the Daily Mail who state that Everton, Bournemouth, Aston Villa, Stoke and Norwich City are all in the mix to sign the 22-year-old, who has been one of the main factors behind Burnley’s impressive start to the season.
Keane in, someone out?
Swansea currently have four senior centre-halves on their books, meaning one of Ashley Williams, Federico Fernandez, Bartley and Jordi Amat will more than likely depart from the club should the Swans take a punt on Keane.
An educated guess would see Amat leave south Wales, as he is seemingly the 4th choice option, and is yet to even make the matchday squad in a league game this season, despite being injury-free.
About Michael Keane
The defender spent his youth career at Manchester United, but only made five senior appearances for the club, and was shipped out on loan to Leicester, Derby and Blackburn before settling at Burnley.
Keane joined The Clarets initially on loan, and his move was made permanent in January 2015 after they were impressed by his performances.
The Swans' target has also made 16 caps for England at under-21 level, and is of Irish descent, meaning he is surely on the radar of Republic Of Ireland management duo Martin O’Neill and Roy Keane.