Chelsea alum reunite at Swansea, dismiss Fernando Llorente rumours

Newly-appointed Swansea City coach Paul Clement tapped his fellow Chelsea colleague Claude Makelele to be his assistant manager. Clement took the time to note that Fernando Llorente rumours are just that.

Paul Clement worked throughout the Chelsea staff between 1995-2000 and again from 2006-2011. During that second stint he coached Claude Makelele. The two reunited at Paris Saint-Germain under Carlo Ancelotti.

Now, with Clement taking charge of Swansea, Makelele will join him in the Welsh side’s great escape. Makelele had previously coached at Paris Saint-Germain and Bastia.

The relationships between Chelsea’s and Swansea’s managers and players spawned one of the more persistent rumours of the current transfer window. The Blues are supposedly pursuing Swansea striker Fernando Llorente. Llorente played under Antonio Conte at Juventus, and that is apparently what passes as the foundation for a transfer these days.

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Some variations of the rumour have Chelsea loaning Michy Batshuayi to Swansea as part of the deal. This would give Batshuayi Premier League playing time while providing Antonio Conte a player he knows and trusts to be Diego Costa’s back-up.

Paul Clement did both sides a favour by dismissing the rumours.

"Fernando is a very good player, he has experience at the highest level and is important to this team. It’s just links, there’s been no contact. – Evening Standard"

The Fernando Llorente deal continues to make little sense for any party involved. Neither Chelsea, Swansea nor Llorente earn a significant return from the transfer. Michy Batshuayi may be in the best position to benefit, as anything that can get him playing time should be seen as a win at this point.

Paul Clement’s and Claude Makelele’s partnership is another example of the growing legacy of Chelsea’s golden era. “Paul is my mentor. He has taught me a lot of things in my time working with him,” Makelele said.

The two had great success at Chelsea and then at Paris Saint-Germain. They face an entirely different challenge at Swansea. In addition to the relegation battle they need to restore some semblance of stability to a club that is on its third manager this season.

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Chelsea fans will take a new-found interest in the Swans’ relegation fight. As long as Paul Clement can hold the post longer than Bob Bradley, Swansea are at least headed in the right direction.