Michael Laudrup determined to keep Ashley Williams at Swansea City amid Arsenal interest
MICHAEL Laudrup is not surprised that Ashley Williams is being linked with Arsenal — but insists he does not want to let the Wales skipper go.
Arsene Wenger will get a chance to run a first-hand check on Williams this weekend when the Gunners come to the Liberty.
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Ashley Williams
But it is thought Wenger’s scouts have been keeping tabs on the Swansea centre-back for some time as Arsenal weigh up a possible summer offer.
Laudrup concedes it is no shock that Williams is being touted for a big-money move given his continued excellence at the heart of Swansea’s defence.
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But the Swansea boss is determined to ensure the Williams-Chico Flores pairing which has worked so well for him this year will still be in place come August.
“I think Ash has had a great season,” Laudrup said.
“He had a month at the beginning where he had a few games where he was a little unlucky, but that says even more about him — that he comes back and plays to a fantastic level.
“He and Chico have been a great pair. They are doing great together and I will be very unhappy to lose that pairing for next season.
“But when players are doing well it’s a possibility. Ash has done very well and that’s maybe why some clubs are looking at him.”
Arsenal have been mentioned as potential suitors for Williams, a commanding presence who may be just what is required at the Emirates.
Liverpool’s former Swansea boss Brendan Rodgers is thought to be another admirer, but Swansea will be desperate to retain the services of one of their most consistent performers.
Laudrup, typically, is refusing to get to flustered by speculation surrounding Williams.
The 28-year-old signed a new contract in the autumn which ties him to Swansea until the summer of 2015.
“When there are rumours about these clubs wanting someone from here it is because the player has done well,” Laudrup added.
“What can I do? I can’t call Arsenal and say ‘Is it true?’.
“This speculation is part of the game. We will have to live with these stories, but they mean people have seen what we have done here and what the players have done.”
While Williams will play, Flores is unlikely to feature against Arsenal because of the ankle ligament injury which he suffered on February 9.
But there is better news of Leon Britton, who has a chance of facing the club he played for as a teenager having missed last weekend’s trip to West Brom with a hip problem.
Luke Moore is expected to be fit even though it has emerged he came off at the Hawthorns with a calf problem.
Kemy Agustien (thigh) is improving quickly but is unlikely to feature this weekend, while Neil Taylor is also edging towards a first-team return having been out since September with a shattered ankle.
10 Comments
by brian17
Thursday, March 14 2013, 3:08PM
“top sides will get any manager or player they want,would not surprise me if half swans team went in summer along with manager,being loyal to club has long gone,money ruined the football as l once knew it,good luck ashley,hope you do not end up like sinclair at man city not hardly ever playing..”
by Spideyjonesy
Thursday, March 14 2013, 1:50PM
“Our Ash, It's a shame if your going but we have had more than our moneys worth out of you son.
If yhe does go sign kabul from spurs good player”
by abertawejack
Thursday, March 14 2013, 11:52AM
“Ah great case explained, didn't think it was much but from small acorns grow EP headlines. lol Thanks lads.”
by Spideyjonesy
Thursday, March 14 2013, 11:46AM
“why would he swans sign a player who has barely kicked a ball in 2 years and will not move from his cheshire home, he was more likely en route ffos las than to the liberty, nice to see people voting down my comments about ahsly. Bet you jonny come latelsy from neef and llaelli have never even heard off tom kiley let alone seen him play
good luck to our ash what ever he decides to a, a great servant to a wonderful club much like tom was”
by JontoPronto
Thursday, March 14 2013, 11:37AM
“There is a black bentley with a similar number plate owned by the guy who owns Mumbai curry house. Hopefully he isn't going to sign for the Swans”
by Philosoraptor
Thursday, March 14 2013, 11:07AM
“abertawe, It could have been Michael Owen but not for the reasons I football.... the man makes most of his money from Property. Given the news about the Tidal Lagoon etc and the SA1 developments he would come here with the intent to be property.”
by hywel79
Thursday, March 14 2013, 9:59AM
“whats with the headline?? there is nothig in this article about Ash going to arsenal? its an interview with michel vorm. more good work by the evening post”
by Spideyjonesy
Thursday, March 14 2013, 9:37AM
“Ashley has been great for us. I for one dont begrudge him anything including ab ig money move to a top team.
Anyone who does is either an out of town jonny come lately or a mean spirited person who knows nothing about how the real world works
Good luck ash the best swansea centre half since tom kiley”
by Spideyjonesy
Thursday, March 14 2013, 9:37AM
“Ashley has been great for us. I for one don;t begrudge him anything including ab ig money move to a top team.
Anyone who does is either an out of town jonny come lately or a mean spirited person who knows nothing about how the real world works
Good luck ash the best swansea centre half since tom kiley”
by abertawejack
Thursday, March 14 2013, 9:29AM
“Well the way our lads are playing, it's to be expected that the big boys will be swarming around the Liberty, with their open wallets. By the way I saw a Bentley in Swansea yesterday, (14th March) with the distinct reg MO, now either I'm mistaken or am making 2x2 = 5, I not sure, but does anybody know if Michael Owen, has pals in Swansea per chance, purely a surmise on my part here, as I'm unsure as to what car he drives. I hope we can keep our players.....but life goes on if we don't, but a bit more difficult for us.
C'mon u SwansssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssYeehaa.”