Football League World
·26. Januar 2025
Football League World
·26. Januar 2025
Swansea City have sold Azeem Abdulai to Leyton Orient, a move that could come back to haunt them
Swansea City haven't had much luck in the transfer window this month, and as it stands, they actually have a weaker squad than they started January with.
A number of goalkeepers have been loaned out, Nelson Abbey has been recalled from his loan spell at the club, and Azeem Abdulai recently completed a surprise permanent move to Leyton Orient.
Abdulai leaving the club in itself isn't too much of a surprise, but given some of the clubs he's been linked to in the past, with the likes of Newcastle United, Aston Villa, West Ham and Bayer Leverkusen reportedly interested, it's a surprise to see him move to a League One club.
The 22-year-old was a divisive figure amongst Swansea City supporters, and it's fair to say they never saw the best of him, but there's good reason for that, and the club could look very silly if he thrives at Brisbane Road.
The reason Abdulai never particularly impressed at Swansea was because he was being played in completely the wrong position, being used as a winger despite being a defensive midfielder by trade.
It was quite baffling to see Abdulai, a tall, rangy player with little pace being used on the winger, and it shouldn't be too much of a surprise that he flattered to deceive.
If he had been played in his proper position he could well have been a success, and Swansea supporters may be keeping a close eye on how he fares at Leyton Orient when he's playing in his preferred position.
Should he impress playing in midfield, Swansea supporters may question why they've allowed him to leave, and it would surely rub salt in their wounds if he moved to Leyton Orient and fulfilled his potential.
When asked why he'd been sold, Swansea boss Luke Williams told BBC Sport: "I think he will play more probably as a box-to-box midfield player there.
"I am sure he will do really well. There were just too many obstacles in the way for him [in that position] here.
"He did a good job in the wide positions for us, but he's not exactly the perfect fit. When a player has the urge to go and a club comes in and gives him that opportunity, it's difficult to keep the player in a good place, so it was the right thing to do."
Williams himself has admitted that Abdulai wasn't suited to playing on the wing, and the 22-year-old appeared keen to play in his natural position, understandably so.
However, there may well be a sense of regret that in the 31 first-team appearances Abdulai made for the club, Swansea supporters never got to see him play in midfield, and if he thrives in East London, it could make the decision to let him leave the club look rather foolish.
Williams and his coaching staff may have opinions about whether Abdulai was good enough to play in midfield at Championship level, but without being given a chance, we'll never know.
The likes of Jay Fulton and Joe Allen haven't done much to impress this season, and 22-year-old Abdulai could have freshened up a midfield which has struggled with the exceptions of Matt Grimes and Goncalo Franco.
Fulton and Allen are both in their 30s, with Allen being 34 and coming towards the end of his career, and you can't help but feel that Abdulai deserved a chance in midfield before being sold.
Abdulai was a victim of his own versatility, and despite it being clear in his performances that he wasn't a winger, Swansea had to persist with it due to their lack of squad depth and realistic options there.
Only time will tell if Abdulai is a Championship-standard midfielder, and the Scotland youth international will be looking to prove a point to his former side and make them regret their decision.