Laudrup Getting the Band Back Together at Swansea City

New Swansea City manager, Michael Laudrup, has wasted no time in filling the holes in his side. And he has gone back to his former club, Mallorca to do so.

With Steven Caulker returning to Spurs there was a... well, a Steven Caulker sized hole in Swansea's central defence. So welcome José Manuel Flores, most recently of Genoa but who played under Laudrup at Mallorca.

With Gylfi Sigurdsson ending his successful loan spell at Swansea and subsequently signing for Spurs (is two a trend?) Swansea was in need of a playmaking midfielder. Joe Allen showed flashes in a more advanced role last season, but was better deployed alongside Leon Britton as a double-pivot in midfield. So welcome Jonathan de Guzman, most recently of Villareal but who played under Laudrup at Mallorca.

Swansea were fantasy favorites last season, with Sigurdsson one of the stand-out performers of the year despite being a January signing. Hopefully these new assets prove a cheap way in to a side that continues to be a source of points.

UPDATED, as I failed to note the de Guzman has had a terrible run of injuries over the last few years. Hopefully that's in the past, but he needs to (im)prove his durability for the rigors of a Premier League season.