Borja Baston is still not ready to make his Swansea City debut – and manager Francesco Guidolin has voiced doubts the record signing can be paired with fellow Spaniard Fernando Llorente.
Baston, the club’s £15.5m signing from Athletico Madrid, has been unable to figure for his new club yet because of a thigh injury.
Guidolin had talked optimistically before the international break about the 24-year-old making his bow against Chelsea on Sunday.
But he admitted at Thursday’s press conference that the best Baston can hope for is a place on the bench.
“He needs to play and he wants to play,” said the Italian.
“He is young and is probably anxious but he has to understand that one or two days more are important for him. If he is not ready for Sunday, maybe next week but the season is very long.
“I am not concerned. It is the same problem, it is not a new injury but he has to go slow for a couple of days. He is hungry to play but it is important not to rush. There is no problem that it is taking so long.”
Swansea fans had been contemplating a possible strike partnership between Baston and former Spain international Llorente.
But Guidolin has been guarded about that pairing and suggested he would prefer to play one or other of them, rather than both.
“I think Borja is a good player, a good striker. But I don’t know if we can play with him and Fernando. In recent years I have played with one striker or two wingers and a No.10.
“But, then, if they play well together I am happy. I think they can play together sometimes, not always. Fernando is a No.9 and Borja is a No.9 but almost a No.10.”
During the international break, Guidolin took time to attend Wales’ 4-0 opening World Cup qualifying victory over Moldova.
Asked whether the man-of-the-match display from Joe Allen had caused him to regret the Swans’ inability re-sign their former midfielder who left Liverpool for Stoke City, Guidolin insisted: “I saw him play well but I am happy with my midfielders.
“Leroy Fer is a good player, so his Ki. Leon Britton is a legend. Gylfi is a good player, Jay Fulton is young but he is good. We have a good team and I’m happy.
“It’s important to be optimistic about the future. But it’s time to do well on the pitch because I was disappointed against Leicester.”
