Jamie Paterson sets bold Swansea City target and reveals new signings have impressed

His preparation for the 2021/22 campaign was far from ideal. Jamie Paterson joined Swansea City little more than 24 hours before their season opener at Blackburn Rovers after being released by Bristol City.

It was an incredibly difficult summer for the attacker who was without a club and then suffered an injury while on trial with Middlesbrough. It ensured he was unable to have a full pre-season before being thrown straight in at the deep end at Ewood Park.

Paterson still managed to score the first goal of the Russell Martin era in that defeat to Rovers, and it was a sign of things to come from the exciting playmaker who excelled in the opening half of the campaign, which was an impressive achievement given the events that occurred before his switch to south Wales.

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However, his progress was halted following a contract dispute with the club's owners after Christmas, and the situation clearly had an impact on Paterson.

But things are very different ahead of Saturday's trip to Rotherham United. Paterson is now at peak fitness and has had a full pre-season with his team-mates following a turbulent debut campaign at the club in which he still managed to score nine goals and register nine assists.

"Last season I came in, I wasn't even fit," said Paterson after his side's pre-season triumph over Charlton Athletic. "I was playing catch-up all the way through the season and I still managed to have a good season. In my opinion I'm a lot fitter now. I'm just raring to get the season going and to try and improve on last season.

"There were moments last season when I felt sharp and fit. I had some good games but, for me, I