Swansea City

Ben Ashton
BBC Sport England

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The 2024-25 Championship season might be over but there are many ways to analyse and reflect on the campaign that has gone before us.

Not every club can go up but if there are signs a team is moving in the right direction, it can still be considered good progress - or quite the opposite if things are on the slide.

Here is a look at how each of the 18 sides who were in the Championship for the past two seasons got on points wise compared to the 2023-24 campaign.

It perhaps comes as no surprise that Sunderland, who won promotion to the Premier League via the play-offs, recorded the most significant improvement after finishing 16th in 2023-24 and picked up 20 more points.

Despite a tumultuous season off the field, Blackburn were the second most improved side in the division, gaining 13 points on the previous campaign as they missed out on the play-offs by just two points.

Leeds racked up 90 points in 2023-24 but somehow still managed a 10-point improvement as they hit the 100 mark on their way to winning the title in their best-ever season in the second tier.

Millwall's seven-point improvement was enough to help them finish five places higher in eighth, but they fell short of the top six by two points.

Meanwhile, Bristol City were only six points better off but managed to climb five places and claim a play-off spot, recording their best Championship finishing position since 2007-08.

Coventry also only improved by five points but were able to jump from ninth to fifth, perhaps showing just how fine the margins can be in the Championship when it comes to securing a play-off berth.

At the bottom...

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You might want to look away now, Hull City fans.

The Tigers went backwards more than any other side compared to the previous season under Liam Rosenior, dropping from seventh place and three points outside the play-offs to only escaping relegation on goal difference on the final day.

Cardiff went from mid-table in 2023-24 to rock bottom and will drop down to League One for the first time in 22 years. It is pretty clear to see why as the Bluebirds picked up 18 fewer points compared to the previous season.

Norwich tumbled to 13th place after finishing in the play-offs a year before - an underperformance which ultimately cost Johannes Hoff Thorup his job as head coach.

Preston were 10 points off the play-off places in 2023-24 but picked up 13 fewer points under Paul Heckingbottom in what was their worst season since they were relegated from the Championship in 2010-11.

The Lilywhites' downturn was largely due to a major dip in form in the latter stages of the campaign, picking up only one win from their final 15 games (D7 L7) to avoid the drop by just one point.

West Bromwich Albion endured a disappointing season - for a club which always harbours ambitions of plying its trade in the top flight - with an 11-point drop off.

Albion's final points tally of 64 was their worst in the Championship since 1999-2000.

Plymouth may have only been five points worse off than they were in 2023-24 but having survived on the final day that season, there were to be no such heroics this time around and their two-year stint in the second tier is over.

And the rest...

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*All data based only on teams who were in the Championship in 2023-24 and 2024-25

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Ben Cabango says he bid an "emotional" farewell to Joe Allen after his team-mate with club and country announced his retirement from football.

Wales and Swansea City great Allen called time on his career at the age of 35 last month.

Cabango says that while he was aware Allen was considering hanging up his boots, there were question marks over the midfielder's future until the final stages of the 2024-25 campaign.

"He did tell me earlier in the season, about halfway, that he was thinking about it," the Swansea captain said.

"I thought because he started playing more consistently towards the end he might change his mind, but he said it was time to go.

"What a player, what a guy, and he will be missed at club and country."

Allen made his final Swansea appearance alongside another departing veteran, Kyle Naughton, in the 3-3 draw with Oxford United on the final day of the Championship season.

"The last game was emotional but it was a good send-off for Joe and Kyle," Cabango added.

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Swansea City will go to League Two side Cheltenham Town for a pre-season friendly on Wednesday, 23 July (19:00 BST).

The Robins, who are managed by Welshman and former Newport County boss Michael Flynn, finished 15th in the fourth tier last season.

The Cheltenham trip is the third pre-season fixture announced by Swansea.

Alan Sheehan's side will meet League One Stevenage in Spain on 19 July before a visit to another third-tier club, Exeter City, on July 26.

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Lawrence Vigouroux is facing a mighty challenge with Chile next week, but Swansea City team-mate Eom Ji-Sung has been given a summer break by South Korea.

Goalkeeper Vigouroux is with the Chile squad preparing for World Cup qualifiers against Argentina and Bolivia.

Chile take on Argentina in a World Cup qualifying game in Santiago on 6 June before going to Bolivia four days later.

It may be that Vigouroux comes up against Lionel Messi, who was named in Argentina's preliminary squad, as Chile look to cause a major upset by beating the world champions.

But there will be no work for Eom this summer after he was omitted from the South Korea squad for their qualifying matches against Iraq and Kuwait.

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Eom finished the Championship season in style, looking like a player who was coming to with the English second tier, having struggled at times following his move from Gwangju last summer.

But he has been left out alongside the likes of Yang Min-hyeok, who was on loan at Queens Park Rangers last season, and Bae Jun-ho of Stoke City.

South Korea boss Hong Myung-bo has indicated the Championship players have been left out because they have been inactive for a number of weeks, rather than due to any loss of form.

Swansea fringe player Nathan Tjoe-A-On is with the Indonesia squad for games against China and Japan, while striker Zan Vipotnik may go to the Uefa Under-21 European Championship with Slovenia.

Ben Cabango, Ollie Cooper and Liam Cullen are part of Craig Bellamy's Wales squad for qualifiers against Liechtenstein and Belgium, while Evan Watts, Sam Parker, Cameron Congreve and Joel Cotterill are in the Wales Under-21 squad.

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Swansea City striker Zan Vipotnik may be in line for a second successive busy summer.

Vipotnik went to Euro 2024 with Slovenia during the close season last year, featuring as a substitute during his country's draw with Serbia at the tournament in .

There is no senior major compeitition for European sides this year, of course, but Vipotnik is in contention to play at the Uefa European Under-21 Championship.

Slovenia Under-21s have qualified for the tournament for the first time – though they have featured before as hosts – having topped their qualifying group ahead of the likes of and Austria.

And though Vipotnik turned 23 in March, he is still young enough to feature for a Slovenia side who are in a group with , Czech Republic and holders England.

Slovenia's first game is against the Germans on 12 June.

Swansea head coach Alan Sheehan is likely to be watching with interest, particularly with his squad likely to return for pre-season training at roughly the same time as the Uefa tournament draws to a close.

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Alan Sheehan's first pre-season as Swansea City's head coach will include a trip to Spain.

Swansea will play a friendly against League One side Stevenage at the Pinatar Arena on Saturday, 19 July (12:00 local time) at the end of a week-long training camp.

The fixture, which will be open to fans, is the second pre-season friendly Swansea have announced so far.

The Championship club will also play at Exeter City on Saturday, 26 July (13:00 BST).

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While the end of Swansea City's season prompts speculation as to which new players could arrive, there is also a batch of players who will return.

Head coach Alan Sheehan could benefit from several Swans who have spent the 2024-25 season getting their games elsewhere.

Swansea had a string of players out on loan last term, some of whom could yet figure in the senior side's plans going forward.

The most high-profile of the batch was striker Jerry Yates, who is due to re the squad for pre-season after a successful spell at Derby County.

Rams boss John Eustace itted the 28-year-old's future would be a summer conversation to be had, after 10 goals and four assists helped the Pride Park club stay in the Championship.

And it remains to be seen whether Swansea would look to keep the player, who has a year remaining on the deal he signed when arriving from Blackpool in 2023.

Likewise, Ukrainian forward Mykola Kuharevich also has a year to run on his deal in south Wales having spent last term at Hibernian.

Despite a lengthy injury lay-off over the winter, the 23-year-old has hit five goals in 24 Scottish Premier League (SPL) appearances during his time in Scotland, with Hibs close to sealing European football next year.

He has recently itted his future is unclear but was keen to helping the club earn a third-placed SPL finish as a farewell.

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Goalkeeper Andy Fisher – who fell behind Lawrence Vigouroux in the Swansea pecking order after getting injured in pre-season – has also played regular games in Scotland, featuring 17 times for St Johnstone and catching the eye in a shock win over Celtic that threatens to take their survival battle to the final weekend.

Fisher, 27, also has a year remaining on his Swansea contract, as does 23-year-old stopper Nathan Broome who left for Port Vale in January. He did not make a league appearance, but was a regular back-up as Darren Moore's side won promotion from League Two.

Meanwhile, midfielder Joel Cotterill caught the eye in the same division for Swindon Town, winning the club's goal of the season for a 30-yard effort against Port Vale.

The 20-year-old Wales age-grade international was a key man in the Robins' turnaround in form under Ian Holloway and is being tipped to fight for first-team contention when he returns to Swansea.

Fellow academy graduate Cameron Congreve, 21 (pictured above), also impressed in League Two with 40 outings for Bromley, scoring five – including one against Newcastle United in the FA Cup.

He is said to have gained much from his first regular season, with his performances leading to a new deal with the Swans in March.

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Swansea City are expected to turn their attention to other targets after expressing an interest in Lincoln City midfielder Ethan Erhahon.

Former Scotland Under-21 international Erhahon is being linked with a move to the Championship having made 107 appearances for Lincoln since ing the League One club in January 2023.

But despite suggestions that Swansea have had an offer for Erhahon turned down, the 24-year-old seems unlikely to move to south Wales.

Erhahon came through the ranks at Scottish side St Mirren before moving to Lincoln.

Gareth Vincent
BBC Sport Wales

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As things stand, Jerry Yates will be back at Swansea City when Alan Sheehan's squad reconvene for pre-season training later this summer.

But even at this early stage in what promises to be a busy close season, rumours are circling about where Yates may go next after a successful loan at Derby County.

Could he stick with the Rams? Given that Yates managed 10 goals and four assists for a side who narrowly avoided relegation, it would be no surprise should there be interest.

When asked by BBC Sport Wales last month about Yates' long-term future, Derby boss John Eustace said it was a conversation to be had come summer.

Presumably, those talks are now taking place.

Regardless over whether Derby are keen, there is speculation that a handful of clubs are interested in Yates who, while not prolific, is a proven Championship performer having scored 42 goals across the past four campaigns at second-tier level.

The feeling is that if a suitable offer comes in, Swansea would sanction Yates' departure.

The 28-year-old has another year to run – plus the option of a further 12 months – remaining on the contract he signed in 2023, when he ed Swansea from Blackpool in deal which valued him at about £3m.

Another move this summer could mean another vacancy as Swansea, once again, head into a transfer window looking for increased firepower.

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Mykola Kuharevich is another forward who is due back in Wales after a loan spell away, in his case at Hibernian.

But as with Yates, it would be no surprise should he be allowed to depart once more before Alan Sheehan's first full season as Swansea's head coach begins.

Then there are attacking players who were part of Sheehan's squad in 2024-25, but might be considered surplus to requirements should there be interest from elsewhere.

French winger-turned-striker Florian Bianchini's impact was limited following his move from Bastia, while Josh Ginnelly found game-time hard to come by having returned to fitness after a long spell out with an Achilles problem.

Zan Vipotnik had a decent debut year in the Championship, scoring seven goals in 42 league games – 24 of which were starts – having signed following the collapse of Bordeaux.

Yet it is not inconceivable that Swansea would say yes should a serious offer come in for the Slovenia international this summer.

With so many players' futures up in the air, it will be interesting to see exactly what Sheehan's attacking options are come the opening day of 2025-26.

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Swansea City transfer target Bobby Wales has been named Kilmarnock's Young Player of the Year for the 2024-25 season.

The 19-year-old's contract with the Scottish Premiership club expires this summer, and the Swans have identified the striker as a target for the window.

The Scotland Under-19 international has scored five goals in all competitions for the Ayrshire side so far this season.

He also netted 12 times in 26 appearances during a season-long loan spell with Alloa Athletic last season.

Swansea City fans took home their own piece of the Vetch, the club's former home, after victory over Wrexham in the FAW Premier Cup 20 years ago.

ers took home seats, grass and even advertising boards from the stadium which served as the club's base for 93 years.

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Cyrus Christie has said he is "grateful for the journey" after saying farewell to Swansea City for a second time.

Versatile defender Christie is leaving Swansea on a free transfer having ed the club on deal until the end of the season last November.

The 32-year-old made 12 appearances – including three starts – in his second spell as a Swan having been behind the likes of Josh Key and Josh Tymon in the pecking order.

Christie was signed as a free agent to provide cover across the back four and, while he is happiest at full-back, filled in at centre-back at times.

Swansea boss Alan Sheehan confirmed after the draw with Oxford on the final day of the season that Christie would be among the players departing this summer.

Writing on social media,, external Republic of Ireland international Christie said: "Thank you to everyone at Swansea City – team-mates, staff and fans – for the memories, and experiences that I'll always carry with me.

"Wishing the club nothing but success moving forward."

Christie was a more influential figure in his first stint at Swansea, when he scored three times in 23 appearances under Russell Martin after ing on loan from Fulham in January 2022.

He spent the next two seasons at Hull City having also played for Nottingham Forest, Middlesbrough, Derby County and Coventry City.

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Swansea City defender Josh Key's 30-yard stunner against Plymouth Argyle has earned him a nomination for the EFL's Championship Goal of the Month award.

The 25-year-old full-back sealed a 3-0 win for the Swans on 9 April with his spectacular lob over the goalkeeper from distance.

"It had been 364 days since Key's last goal, so expectations were low as he strode forward," said the Football League in its nominations list.

"The full-back had other ideas, striking his controlled 25-yard (or further) shot at pace and in a perfect arc."

Key, who ed Swansea from Exeter City in 2023, is one of four nominees for the April award, along with Coventry City's former Swans midfielder Jamie Paterson, Sunderland's Eliezer Mayenda and Oxford United's Cameron Brannagan, who is nominated for his stunner against Cardiff City on 21 April.

Fans can vote for their favourite on the EFL's website, with the winner announced on 16 May.

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Swansea City's Harry Darling has been nominated for April's Championship Player of the Month award.

The Swans won all five matches in which the centre-back started last month, with Darling netting against both Plymouth Argyle and Queens Park Rangers.

The English Football League wrote: "Darling contributed at both ends of the pitch as Swansea won all five of the April games in which he played.

"Commanding in the air and poised on the ground, he helped preserve four clean sheets while scoring two decisive goals at set pieces."

Darling is up against Millwall striker Mihailo Ivanovic, Leeds United winger Manor Solomon and Burnley midfielder Josh Brownhill for the award.

The 25-year-old's Swansea contract expires this summer, although newly-appointed head coach Alan Sheehan is eager to keep the defender in south Wales.

Darling has made 112 appearances in all competitions since ing the Swans from MK Dons in the summer of 2022, scoring 12 goals.

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Hector Kyprianou is on the lookout for a new club this summer having featured on Swansea City's list of targets in the last transfer window.

Peterborough United have announced that Kyprianou, their captain in 2024-25, will leave the League One club on a free when his contract expires next month.

The 23-year-old Cyprus international played 42 games for Peterborough in the season which has just finished, scoring five goals.

One of those strikes came at Wembley in April as Posh, who finished 18th in the third tier, shocked Birmingham City to win the EFL Trophy for a second straight year.

In all, Kyprianou made 140 appearances for Peterborough, scoring 16 goals, after ing from Leyton Orient in 2022.

Winger Kwame Poku, another player who has previously been linked with Swansea, is also leaving London Road, though he is expected to attract interest from a number of clubs.