Joe Rodon could be the Swansea City rough diamond who eases the pain of selling the club’s crown jewels.
The 20-year-old is poised to continue at the heart of the Swans’ defence on Saturday when Bristol City visit the Liberty Stadium, having made a big impression in just three matches for the club.
Rodon is still raw and inevitably prone to the odd error – as was the case in Leeds’ second equalising goal in the midweek 2-2 draw – but the calm authority and composure of the academy product has already sparked talk of a Wales call-up this season.
The extent of his promise may have prompted manager Graham Potter to feel a little less queasy than he might have done on transfer deadline day when the departures of Federico Fernandez and Jordi Amat – following on from the earlier sales of Alfie Mawson and Kyle Bartley – meant the club had sold four centre-backs in one summer.
Another interpretation could be that Swansea’s owners have been saved from their own recklessness after presiding over the fire sale.
Those four absences meant Swansea were left with just one senior central defender in Mike van der Hoorn, but Rodon has seized his opportunity and his ability to read the game, intercept, and carry the ball out of defence has already drawn comparisons with England and Manchester City centre-back John Stones.
Potter insists he was comfortable with allowing players who wanted to exit to do so, as it meant the likes of Rodon and Connor Roberts would be given their opportunity.
“It’s brilliant from a coach’s perspective to give someone a debut because you know what it means to him, his family and everyone involved in the structure,” says Potter of Rodon.
“It shows there is a pathway to the first team if you work hard as Joe has done. It was nice to hand that opportunity over.
“Both Joe and Connor have really come on quickly. They have had a lot of pace and aerial stuff and physicality to deal with and they have done really well.”
As a local from Langyfelach, Rodon is enjoying his promotion from academy team to Championship level and, in particular, the reaction his performances have produced among supporters.
“They have been brilliant every year and will be for years to come,” says Rodon.
“They’re like an extra player on the pitch and they gave us the motivation to keep going until the end.”
Already a Wales international, Rodon could be in for a busy season for club and country but says: “Obviously I’m not going to look too far into things.
“I’m just going to take every day as it comes. I’ll keep working hard in training and see what the future holds.”
Potter has no new injury concerns for Bristol City’s visit where Leroy Fer could be due for another 90 minutes after starting his first game since rupturing an Achilles in February.
The Dutchman is expected to start in the Swansea engine room, while Wilfried Bony has stepped up his rehabilitation after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in February, although the Ivorian striker is not ready to return just yet.
Tomas Kalas is expected to make his Bristol City debut after completing a season-long loan from Chelsea.
The Czech Republic international has extensive experience of the Championship after spells at Middlesbrough and Fulham and his versatility provides Robins boss Lee Johnson with extra defensive options.
Johnson plans to put selection on hold as he has a “few walking wounded” following Tuesday’s 3-0 win at QPR, City’s first of the season. Midfielder Korey Smith is expected to be sidelined for up to six months after knee surgery.
Opta stats
Since winning 7-1 against Bristol City in September 2005, Swansea have scored just three goals in nine league games against Bristol City (W2 D4 L3), failing to score in seven matches.
In Swansea, the last four league meetings between the teams have produced just two goals – a 1-0 win for Swansea in April 2009 and a 1-0 win for Bristol City in November 2010.
Bristol City have won just one of their last 15 matches in Wales in all competitions (D4 L10), with that coming against Swansea in November 2010.
Swansea striker Oliver McBurnie scored twice in his last match against Leeds – the Scotsman has scored 15 goals in the Football League, all from inside the box.
Bristol City striker Andreas Weimann has scored four league goals in four appearances for the Robins this season – just one fewer than he managed in 40 games for Derby last season (5).
Swansea haven’t drawn three consecutive league matches since March 2009 under manager Roberto Martinez.