Swansea have started the 2026/27 season full of good news following a solid second half of the previous campaign.
The Swans are still unbeaten in the Championship after three games – including two wins in both their away matches.
There was not a lot to look forward to in the start of last season. Alan Sheehan took over as permanent manager after a brief and successful spell as interim head coach, but failed to replicate it.
The Irishman left the club in 20th in the standings and the fans with no hopes of good things in the near future. But this is no longer their reality.
Why are Swansea serious contenders to make the Championship play-offs?
The Vitor Matos revolution
Vitor Matos has completely turned things around at Swansea.com Stadium. He took over in late November and climbed up the table for an 11th-placed finish six months later, courtesy of 14 wins, 5 draws and 11 losses.
In fact, only six sides won more points in the second tier than Swansea from Matos’ debut until now.
It’s still early days, with just three games in the current season. But so far the Swans have the best defence, having conceded just one goal. They also rank fourth in possession (60%), being one of just six sides to have had more of the ball in all three of their matches, alongside Cardiff City, Portsmouth, Southampton, West Ham and Wolves.
Swansea had already finished in the top-5 for possession last season (5th with 55%) and accurate passes per game (3rd with 371). A slower, more patient approach seems to resonate well with their squad. And also reminds us of their ‘Swansealona’ days from around 15 years ago.
World Cup vibes
Signing players based on their performances in World Cups can be dangerous, but also rewarding.
Swansea wasted no time in adding Elijah Just to the squad after he delivered three goals in three games for New Zealand in North America over the summer. But he was already used to British football, having spent all of the previous season at Motherwell in the Scottish Premiership.
And the most exciting deal was still to come: Canada captain Stephen Eustaquio, in a deal done this past week. The former Porto all-around midfielder was one of just eight players to record both more than 10 tackles (11) and chances created (12) during the tournament. And he was in decent company, with the remaining seven being Lionel Messi, Rodri, Michael Olise, Achraf Hakimi, Declan Rice, Pedri and Yan Diomande.
Eustaquio also ranked second overall both in crosses attempted (45) and completed (15) in the 2026 World Cup.
Loaded with strikers
Swansea are well served in the striker spot. Zan Vipotnik was the division’s top goalscorer last season, featuring in the Championship and the PFA team of the season. He also won the Player of the Year award for the Swans.
A few different teams were reportedly interested in his services in the start of the transfer window. But it seems as though he is staying put – for now, at least. Things could obviously change come January.
The Slovenian delivered 23 goals in 44 appearances last term and hasn’t even been fully available as of yet so far this season. It could get even better for them.
He scored six goals in 14 games under Alan Sheehan, but improved his goalscoring form under Vitor Matos, finding the net 17 times in 33 matches.
Adam Idah is a solid option at Championship level as well. And he did a good job replacing Vipotnik whenever necessary. The Irishman scored just six goals last campaign, but at a good rate of one every 142 minutes.
As if all that wasn’t enough, the Swans added Ross Stewart to the squad too. The ‘Loch Ness Drogba’ enjoyed a decent season at Southampton, with his main problem, as always, revolving around injuries.
When he is fit, however, he delivers: 9 goals in 27 appearances – just 12 of them as a starter. Swansea now have three quality strikers that all recorded a scoring frequency under 150 minutes last year in the Championship. Goals surely won’t be a problem for Matos’ side.
While there is still a lot of football to be played, there is also quite a decent sample of Swansea’s quality. And with the play-offs expanded this season, it’s hard to imagine them not fighting at least for a spot among the top-eight.