Swansea City struck gold when Chelsea, Liverpool deals made January statement | OneFootball

Swansea City made three important loan signings in January 2020 which made all the difference when it came to reaching the play-offs

The 2019/20 season was a topsy-turvy campaign for Swansea City, but they managed to secure a place in the Championship play-off places in dramatic fashion on the final day of the season.

Swansea had come racing out the blocks, topping the Championship table at points during the opening months of the campaign, but a poor run of form in the middle of the season saw them slide down the table and out of the promotion race.

This meant that the January transfer window was crucial for Steve Cooper, and he certainly used his contacts to strengthen his side, bringing three players in on loan from Premier League sides.

It proved an inspired move, and the additions of Rhian Brewster, Conor Gallagher and Marc Guehi made all the difference in sealing a play-off place.

Swansea City struck gold with January 2020 loan deals

Cooper, who had led England U17's to World Cup glory in 2017, used his contracts from his time with the England youth teams to bring talented youngsters from the Premier League to SA1.

Brewster was signed on loan from Liverpool, while Guehi and Gallagher were brought in from Chelsea after the latter had been recalled from his loan at Charlton Athletic, much to the annoyance of everyone at The Valley.

These were three quality players, and while they were young and inexperienced, they made all the difference when it came to helping to resurrect Swansea's play-off hopes.

Striker Brewster proved the best signing of the lot, scoring ten goals in 20 Championship appearances, but both Gallagher and Guehi proved useful additions too.

Gallagher became a regular starter in the middle of the park for Swansea, displaying the qualities which has seen him captain Chelsea and play for Atlético Madrid since, and he registered seven assists in 21 appearances.

Meanwhile, Guehi endured a dismal start to life at Swansea in what was his first real taste of senior football, and after a poor display in a 4-4 draw with Hull City, he spent some time out of the side.

However, the Covid pandemic which delayed the season proved a blessing in disguise for him, and after he returned to the starting XI, he was a different player and helped Cooper's side string a positive run of results together.

Swansea started the season well, and they finished it well too, but going into the final day of the season it looked like they were going to miss out on the play-off places.

However, an incredible final day of the season saw them win 4-1 away to Reading, while Nottingham Forest lost 4-1 at home to Stoke, meaning Swansea were level on points with Sabri Lamouchi's side, but had a superior goal difference thanks to the results on the final day, allowing Swansea to sneak into the top six.

Swansea lost the play-off semi-final against Brentford, but reaching the play-offs represented a positive season for the club, and one that they built on the following campaign.

There's absolutely no doubt that Swansea would not have reached the play-offs without the loan additions of Guehi, Gallagher and Brewster, and it's safe to say they struck gold in January 2020.

Rhian Brewster, Conor Gallagher and Marc Guehi have enjoyed different fortunes since leaving Swansea City

Brewster was the player who looked the most promising during his time at Swansea and was tipped for huge things, with Sheffield United paying £23.5million to secure his signature on a permanent basis, but he's the player who has found things the toughest since departing the club.

Both Gallagher and Guehi are full England internationals, playing an important role in the 2024 Euros as Gareth Southgate's side reached the final, and it won't be too much of a surprise to Swansea supporters to see them playing at the highest level.

The pair were both on loan from Chelsea but neither of them are on the books at Stamford Bridge now, with Gallagher at Atlético Madrid, while Guehi is at Crystal Palace.

Meanwhile, Brewster is struggling for starts in the Championship with Sheffield United, and with his deal set to expire at Bramall Lane next summer he faces an uncertain future after struggling for goals.

Admittedly, the former Liverpool man has been hampered by injuries, but at the moment it looks like he won't fulfill his potential, which is a huge shame, because he looked like a future Premier League star at Swansea.