Jonathan de Guzman eyes permanent move to Swansea

De Guzman scored twice against Stoke at the weekend

Jonathan de Guzman hopes he will be able to seal a permanent move to Swansea after starring in the weekend win over Stoke.

The 25-year-old has impressed since joining Swansea on a season-long loan from Villarreal, and he was again on form as he netted a superb second-half double in the 3-1 win over the Potters.

The Dutchman first beat Asmir Begovic with a stunning free-kick, before coolly adding his second from Danny Graham's pass.

De Guzman's guile and vision has added an extra dimension to Swansea's play, and he hopes a deal can be agreed before his loan spell runs out.

"If there is an opportunity I would really love to stay," he said.

"I am very happy here. It's a great group, not just the players but the guys around the place, the staff and the fans.

"It's a family club and I really like that. There is something good happening here and I like being part of it."

De Guzman's form has started to attract the attentions of the Dutch national coach Louis van Gaal, and his assistant Danny Blind was at the Liberty Stadium on Saturday.

De Guzman has been previously capped at under-21 level and would like the chance to make his bow for the senior side.

He said: "Yes, I was aware he (Blind) was there - that's why I scored the two goals!

"They are keeping an eye on a couple of the Dutch players here and I think I had a decent game. I am very happy with how it went, so we'll see."

De Guzman is also confident Swansea will not crumble under the weight of expectation as they look to seal a first major Wembley final appearance against Chelsea.

The Swans head into Wednesday's second leg of the Capital One Cup semi-final with a 2-0 advantage after a stunning smash and grab raid at Stamford Bridge.

Swansea have lost just twice at home this term and their two Premier League meetings against Chelsea at the Liberty Stadium have ended in 1-1 draws.

A repeat on Wednesday would see Swansea advance, but De Guzman insists holding a handy advantage does not increase the pressure on the hosts.

"There is pressure every game, every training session," he said. "This group is desperate to do well and you can feel that.

"Everyone is working very hard. It is a great achievement so far but the season has a long way to go.

"We certainly respect Chelsea but there isn't any fear.

"We are home and we are 2-0 up, playing at home, which is probably where we play our best football, so we have to keep the momentum. I think we have a very good chance."

PA

Independent Comment
blog comments powered by Disqus
Caption competition
Caption competition
News in pictures
World news in pictures
Sport blogs

iBet: Look To The Lady In The Prince Of Wales

The Prince of Wales Stakes today is regarded by many as the No1 race of the Royal Ascot meeting and ...

by Gareth Purnell

iBet: Favourites have a good record in the Coventry stakes

Today’s St James Palace looks a cracker and there has been sustained money for Dawn Approach since t...

by Gareth Purnell

Newcastle don’t need a football director – they need a new medical team after finishing bottom of the injury league

Newcastle United have shocked their fans by appointing Joe Kinnear as director of football but new f...

by Alex Miller

       
 

Day In a Page

'To farm I have to rape the countryside. It’s got to be wrong': The true effect of the badger cull

The true effect of the badger cull

'To farm I have to rape the countryside. It’s got to be wrong'
Theatre review: Daniel Radcliffe gives an admirably honest performance in Michael Grandage's The Cripple of Inishmaan

First night: The Cripple of Inishmaan

Daniel Radcliffe gives an admirably honest performance in Michael Grandage's comedy
Girls Guides drop religious reference but pledge to self and the Queen

Guides drop religious reference but pledge to self and the Queen

After 103 years, organisation changes oath to welcome 'all girls, of all faiths, and none'
Steve Tongue: Joe Kinnear was one of the boys and a breath of fresh air... 21 years ago

Steve Tongue

Joe Kinnear was one of the boys and a breath of fresh air... 21 years ago
Chris Froome: Free from 'pain in neck' after Bradley Wiggins' exit

Chris Froome: Free from 'pain in neck' after Wiggins' exit

Sky's lead rider says he is in fantastic form for the Tour and happy pecking order debate is over
Hannah England: I've got the right times – now to focus on the chess

Hannah England: Keeping Track

I've got the right times – now to focus on the chess
Beards, brawn and body art

Beards, brawn and body art

Meet London’s new batch of male models
Scandi-geeks descend on Nordicana for fan-convention

Scandi-geeks descend on Nordicana for fan-convention

British love of shows such as The Bridge, Borgen and The Killing shows no sign of fading
Behind the rhetoric what is really being done to combat desertification?

The Great Green Wall of Africa,

Behind the rhetoric what is really being done to combat desertification?
Laughter Inc: the cheering growth of the chuckle industry

Laughter Inc

The cheering growth of the chuckle industry
The bad science scandal: how fact-fabrication is damaging UK's global name for research

The bad science scandal

How fact-fabrication is damaging UK's global name for research
To the manor born: The female aristocrats battling to inherit the title

Female aristocrats battle to inherit the title

A passionate protest is gathering pace among the women of Britain's aristocracy, who believe that men should no longer automatically inherit the family pile and title.
Love struck: Photographs of JFK's visit to Berlin 50 years ago reveal a nation instantly smitten

In pictures: JFK's visit to Berlin in 1963

Photographer Ulrich Mack accompanied Kennedy on the entire trip. The results are an astonishing record of a watershed moment.
Eat shoots and leaves: Mark Hix gets creative with fresh peas, mangetouts and sugar snaps

Mark Hix gets creative with English peas

English peas and their offsprings, such as mangetouts and sugar snaps, are great tossed into a salad, says our chef.
Ceviche with a smile: Chef Martin Morales has turned South America's elegant cuisine into one of London's hottest food trends

Chef Martin Morales: Ceviche with a smile

Morales has turned South America's elegant cuisine into one of London's hottest food trends