The final few items on Swansea’s shopping list

The season is up-and-running, and the Swans have enjoyed both a solid first win and a frustrating first loss.

Overall the team is looking pretty good at the moment, although a few more players are needed to bolster the squad into one that can challenge for both a good league placing and maybe simultaneously go on a cup run.

So what’s actually needed?

The one position in which we definitely don’t need any more depth is between the posts - four goalkeepers is quite enough. All agreed?

It’s just in front of the keeper that Swansea are looking weak, after the loss of Ashley Williams.

On the face of it, Jordi Amat, Federico Fernandez and Mike van der Hoorn suggest there is a bit of choice, but Swans fans really want an assured, experienced central defender to start regularly, with one of the other three used alongside him.

It’s an area worth opening the wallet wide for - just as important as a striker was a few weeks back. Francesco Guidolin is reportedly looking to Serie A for this defender, and apparently has a shortlist of around seven players, which means the club are well on top of the situation.

Udinese centre-back Thomas Heurtaux was one of those targets, although it’s unlikely a move would be made for him now that he has fractured his jaw, and could be out for some time.

Guidolin has suggested he could be looking for a younger player, who may come good in the future, but that’s not what’s needed at this stage. It’s experience and confidence that’s required this season.

As for the rest of the team, things aren’t looking too bad, although technically every position could use a bit of beefing up.

Alongside the new centre back (whoever he may be), a quality full back would be a good acquisition, as the current options are limited. While Stephen Kingsley could be a Ben Davies in the making, he’s not the answer at the moment. Neil Taylor doesn’t perform as well for the Swans as he does Wales, while Kyle Naughton is ordinary. Quite solid, but nothing worth writing home about.

With Llorente, Baston and McBurnie the striker situation is looking healthier than it has in a long time. But just one long-term injury to one of the first two and things will start looking bleak again. So another attacking forward, even a bargain bin gamble, wouldn’t hurt at this stage.

A creative central midfielder to replace the recently departed Andre Ayew would be another signing worth having - especially when Sigurdsson is not firing on all cylinders / injured. Just someone to have on the bench when things aren’t working in attack.

Finally, while there are plenty of wingers, this is an area for concern for Swans fans because of the four senior players in this role (Routledge, Dyer, Barrow and Montero) none offer that much apart from running. They rarely score and putting the ball into the box seems to be a hardship. So a goal-scoring winger or a renown crosser would also be ideal.