'I want to play and I want to win'

Roque Mesa is doing all he can to get used to life in the Premier League as he battles for a place in the Swansea City side.

The Spanish midfielder made only a second league appearance since his summer move to Wales against Watford last weekend.

Roque Mesa was sent on at half-time against the Hornets having been arguably the Swans’ best player in their Carabao Cup victory at Reading four days earlier.

And he impressed again as Paul Clement’s team improved considerably in the second half of the Watford game.

However, the hosts’ afternoon was ruined by Richarlison’s 90th-minute winner, with Roque Mesa’s loose pass starting the move which led to the goal.

Nevertheless, Roque Mesa savoured his second taste of Premier League football – and he hopes for another opportunity when Clement’s men go to West Ham this weekend.

“I like Swansea. My family like it too. It’s a calm place – a very good place to play football – and I am happy here,” he said.

“The Premier League is very different from La Liga. At Las Palmas, it’s always tiki-taka, tiki-taka – calm and tranquil play.

“In the Premier League it’s different, it’s box-to-box and it’s very quick.

“For me it’s not easy to get used to because I am used to a different kind of football.

“But I will try to adapt as soon as possible because I like the Premier League very much.”

The Swans paid £11 million to secure Roque Mesa’s services after he established himself as one of Spain’s top defensive midfielders.

But Clement has stressed that the 28-year-old must be given time to get used to English football.

There is stiff competition for a place in the Swans midfield, with the likes of Tom Carroll, Sam Clucas, Leroy Fer, Renato Sanches, club captain Leon Britton and Ki Sung-Yueng - who is overcoming injury - fighting for opportunities.

But Roque Mesa is hoping he did enough against Watford to convince Clement to give him another chance at the London Stadium.

“I feel good,” he added. “I enjoy playing the games. Now we have West Ham and I will try to learn the lessons from the last game.

“I want to play and to win for Swansea because three points this Saturday are very important.

“It’s an important game for the team – for all of us. We will try.”

* Please note, Network Rail will be carrying out improvement work on the railway from Swansea to London – trains will still be running but will be diverted on route.

Fans should plan their journey at GWR.com before travelling.