Jordan Ayew revival prompts relegation survival hope for Swansea

The ‘Black Stars’ hitman has scored two in three to give the Swans hope of beating the drop

He secured a move to Swansea City at the beginning of last year, but struggled to truly find his feet during the second half of last season even as the Welsh side pulled away from the dropzone.

Ayew ended last term with just one goal in 14 appearances back in the top flight with Swansea, and was largely a peripheral figure in their survival act.

This season hasn’t been much better for the Black Star, as the Swans have again struggled at the wrong end of the table, before parting ways with last season’s saviour Paul Clement on December 20th.

Internationally, the striker’s relationship with the Ghana national side soured after Kwesi Appiah’s appointment, with Jordan dropped— amidst suspicious circumstances—following the 1-1 draw with Congo-Brazzaville.

A fine performance in Ghana’s 2-1 victory over the Democratic Republic of Congo in the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final was a rare highlight in one of the forward’s more disappointing years with the Black Stars.

However, despite all of the disappointment of 2017, there are reasons for optimism as we enter a New Year. Jordan had won just once since mid-October before Swansea’s December 30th fixture against Watford, a first at the helm for Portuguese coach Carlos Carvahal, recently recruited from Sheffield Wednesday.

Having contributed the equaliser in the vital home draw against Crystal Place on December 23rd—after being introduced as a 66th-minute substitute—Jordan again made a decisive contribution against the Hornets.