Ben Cabango determined to help Swansea City improve defensively

Ben Cabango has his sights firmly set on helping Swansea City improve their defensive shape and structure under Michael Duff, and give his side the best foundations to build on.

The 23-year-old centre-half recently made his 150th appearance for the Swans in the defeat at Preston North End, having made his debut as a teenager in 2019.

He has matured into a proven Championship performer and a senior Wales international – and is in Rob Page’s squad for the upcoming games against South Korea and Latvia – and is determined to continue to improve.

Cabango has enjoyed his first experiences of working under new Swansea head coach Duff, who was himself a centre-half during his playing days, and knows the importance of ensuring the Swans concede fewer goals and record more clean sheets moving forward.

“I really want to step on this season, be a leader and help us keep more clean sheets and concede fewer goals,” said the academy product.

“It’s about having the structure and shape in place, and finding the balance in our play.

“We are still possession-based, but we know we have to improve defensively because there is no hiding away from the fact we conceded far too many goals last season.

“The number of goals we conceded was probably our downfall, we are just trying to nail down the defensive shape and work without the ball, but we still want to be good on the ball and carry a threat in possession. You have to be able to do both sides of the game.

“The game is about results at the end of the day. Like I say, possession is important but if you have 60 per cent of possession and you lose 1-0, no-one talks about the amount of possession you’ve had then, do they?”