Swansea City officially opened their new £11m training centre at Fairwood on Tuesday – a statement of intent for a club determined to make the most of things now the money is flowing from the Premier League. But Josh Thomas has been eyeing the talent in the Swans’ U23 side after a breakthrough season and believes it will not be long before three of them could soon be first team regulars.

 

Swansea City Under 23s have had a fantastic season having just won the Premier League Division Two title, resulting in promotion to Division One.

They have also reached the semi-finals of the International Cup and the Premier League Cup.

The Swans youth team will look for inspiration from their new counterparts next season when they will be playing against the best teams in the country like Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal at some of the very best youth academies in football. The aim will be to become an established team themselves.

Their coach, Cameron Toshack, son of former Liverpool and Cardiff City legend John, says: “These young men are off to a flying start in their careers. They all have what it takes to become professional football players.”

As the season comes to a close, Swans first team head coach Paul Clement will taking a close eye on the talent that is hiding in the academies and says: “There are some good players in the U23s team and we’re watching them closely.

“There’s been some movement with some of them training with the first-team. I want that closeness to the U23s and academy because the idea is to have the talent come through to the first team.”

But who can make the step up? And where do Swansea need to strengthen their team?

Clement is keeping a close eye on the talent he has at his disposal and realises the rich promise he has on his own doorstep.

Three key players have impressed this season include striker Oliver McBurnie, who feels there is more to come from his game.

“I have loved every minute of this campaign, especially the experience I have gained with the first team,” says McBurnie.

The former Newport loanee, who started his career with Bradford City, is no stranger to playing first team football and made himself known to Welsh football when he scored a hat-trick on his Newport debut after entering the pitch as a 58th minute substitute against Luton Town.

He has also played for Swansea’s first team already, scoring two goals against Peterborough United in the League Cup second round clash.

Beyond his rolled down socks, he possesses confidence and in scoring over 20 goals this season, he has shown he knows where the net is.

The Scottish Under 21 international has a long way to go, but says:  “I feel I am improving every year and that is always a nice feeling.”

Appearing in five senior games this season has given him a sample of playing for the first team on a regular basis. Like many young players, now he has been given a taste, it is clear McBurnie will been to persuade Clement he is ready for more.

Another player Clement will have his eye on is midfielder Josh Sheehan, who impressed during his loan spell at Newport County.

That gave him experience of first team activity week-in, week-out and with seven goals in 25 games he showed just what a talent they had on their hands.

Manager at the time, Graham Westley, was so excited about Sheehan, he even compared him to Aaron Ramsey.

“When I came here people said to me he was seen at one stage as being the next Aaron Ramsey and you can see why,” Westley said.

“He has got incredible ability, incredible energy, he’s got bite and appetite out of possession and he’s scoring goals and making a difference to games.”

However, Sheehan is currently out for nine months after surgery on his anterior cruciate ligament and faces an uncertain future with his contract up at the end of the season.

Yet, the glimpses of talent he showed during his loan spell at Newport might cause Clement to offer him a new contract and show why he is regarded as one of Wales’s future stars.

The only one of the three not to play for the first team is teenager Daniel James.

However, he has had experience of being in the first team squad when he was on the bench for the Stoke City game back in October.

“It was a great experience to be involved with the first-team squad,” he said. “The next goal for me is to continue to push on and make my full debut.”

However, since then he has become a pivotal figure of the development team – helping them to the title and becoming one of the key players of the season. James has said that “getting opportunities like that – as well as with the U21s – has made me more confident on and off the pitch, which will help make me a better person and player.”

He hopes to show Clement what he can bring to the team and with his electrifying pace and his elegance and balance down the flanks.  That ability gave Steven Whittaker a torrid time and drew plaudits from former Wales striker Iwan Roberts during the EFL Trophy game against Norwich City, where James helped Swansea to a 1-0 win.

But his ability has impressed many others who have seen him play; the former Hull man, who signed for Swansea City in 2014, is going from strength to strength and will surely soon be knocking on the manager’s door to push to make his first appearance.

All three players represent the future for the Swans and Clement says: “It’s always good if you can have players come through the academy and the club into the first team.

“I think there’s enough players at this club who have been here a number of years who the fans have real attachment to.”

The future does indeed look bright for Swansea City and with some gems coming through the academy you can’t help but wonder how far this team might go should they win their fight to stay in the Premier League.