Matt Grimes makes Premier League claim concerning Swansea City

Swansea City captain Matt Grimes believes manager Russell Martin has the pedigree to take the Welsh outfit back to the Premier League during his tenure, making this confident claim to the BBC.

The Swans have endured mixed fortunes since their relegation from the Premier League back in 2018, finishing outside of the play-off zone under a shrewd appointment in Graham Potter during 2018/19 before his departure to Brighton and Hove Albion.

Their fortunes improved under Steve Cooper, with the Welshman guiding the second-tier side to consecutive top-six finishes despite seeing the club’s board continue to cash in on some of their most valuable assets.

Reaching the play-off final last season under the 42-year-old, all signs pointed towards another promotion push this season, but they suffered more key departures with previous talisman Andre Ayew leaving the Swansea.com Stadium on the expiration of his contract and Cooper himself deciding to part ways with the Championship club in the latter stages of July.

The latter’s departure was the catalyst for a complete change in their strategy, with current boss Martin coming in and implementing a different style of football that his players have started to become accustomed to since his arrival at the start of August.

This has inevitably come with a few bumps in the road, with the Swans currently sitting in 17th place going into tonight’s match against West Bromwich Albion, but skipper Grimes believes his side can aim high in the coming years.

Speaking to the BBC, the midfielder said: “I want to play in the Premier League with Swansea again.

“I love the club and I truly believe that he [Martin] has got what it takes, his ideas, bringing players through and hopefully adding one or two