Swansea City star makes ‘massive’ claim for new transfer arrival from Bristol City
For a team that is so used to placing silverware in their trophy cabinet, last season didn’t exactly go to plan for Swansea City.
A second-placed finish in the Adran Premier along with two early exits in cup competitions led to Swansea’s first trophyless season since 2013-14. The Swans did undergo a lot of change behind the scenes last campaign, and forward Chloe Chivers believes it all caught up with them.
“We had so much change during and before the season,” Chivers said.
“We had a number of injuries, and everything seemed to be one thing after another. We tried to power through it and get ourselves out of it, but it was really tough.
“We’re looking to bounce back this season and come out of it on the winning side once more. Not to win the league for a fourth year in a row was devastating, but we learn from it, look at what went wrong and where can we improve.”
While last season was difficult for the squad, for Chivers herself, it was a season to remember, as she made her return from long-term injury, a moment she will savour for the rest of her career.
She said: “I was playing a cup game against Cardiff Wanderers, and I dislocated my knee. I thought it was only a dislocation, so I came back six weeks after and I was still having some issues.
“I had an MRI, and it was there I discovered that I had torn my ACL. I had surgery to repair the ACL, but I had minuscule damage as well. I was out for six and a half months in total.
“I was really proud stepping back onto the pitch. I had ruptured my ACL once before, and I didn’t want to come back from it again if I’m honest.
“I was in a bad mindset, and I didn’t want to go through it again. But to go through and come out of the other side was just brilliant.”
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Now back and firing in the frontline, Chivers and the Swansea squad are aiming to reclaim their crown once more.
“We always have really high expectations for ourselves, as players, and as a group, but at the same time, we can’t go in with massive expectations and then be let down.
“We are looking to bounce back and win cups as well. We haven’t had much of a cup run in the last few years, but we’re looking forward to getting going.”
CARDIFF, WALES – TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 2022: Wales’ Chloe Bull during training ahead of the FIFA World Cup Qualifier against France at The Vale Resort. (Pic by Kunjan Malde/FAW)
As they prepare for the season’s beginning, Ceri Phillips has been busy in the transfer window. Emma Beynon and Kelly Adams have headed to arch-rivals Cardiff City, while hard tackling defender Shaunna Jenkins has found a new home at Oxford United.
While notable names have departed, Swansea have strengthened incredibly well. Welsh international Chloe Bull has signed from WSL side Bristol City. Having helped the Robins gain promotion to the English topflight, Chivers is looking forward to linking up with a player with so much experience.
“Signing Chloe is massive for us,” said Chivers.
“She has a lot of experience and it’s good to have the knowledge she has in the team. She played some really good football in the Championship and has that international experience with Wales.”
Along with Bull, Swansea have raided Cardiff Met by bringing in Steph Turner, Sophie Brisland-Hancocks, and Robyn Pinder. Chivers is used to coming up against all three but is delighted to have them on her side ahead of the new season.
“The players who have come in have so much quality. We’ve played against them for so many years, so much so that we know how each other play, even though we haven’t played together.”
Another change for Swansea this summer has been a lack of European football. For the first time in four seasons, the Swans haven’t been in the Champions League. Of course, everyone wants to be playing in Europe, but Chivers says the lack of European football may help her side heading into the campaign.
Chivers added: “Going to play in Europe is always a massive honour for us and always a huge achievement for us as players.
“In a way, it is nice to retract from that and have the time to focus on everything we need to ahead of the new season.
“We’ve all come back this summer with clear visions and clear heads, and that will help going into this campaign.”
Swansea kick off their campaign against newly promoted Wrexham, a game that will be live on S4C on Sunday afternoon.
Of course, Wrexham will have a lot of eyes on them with their Hollywood backers, but Chivers is hoping her team can go up north and come away with all three points.
“There will be a lot of eyes on them but on us too,” added the forward.
“It’s nice to get that trip out of the way early and not have to worry about it late on in the season. There’ll be a lot of expectation for both teams heading into it, but it’s going to be a good game.
“They have created a name for themselves with the players, the backroom staff, and obviously with Rob and Ryan backing them.
“In a way, the focus is on them, but we will go up there, do what we need to do, and come back with the three points.”
Without a shadow of a doubt, this Swansea team are primed and ready to challenge for the Adran Premier title.
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