Joe and Kyle can be vital on and off the pitch, says Luke Williams

Head coach Luke Williams believes Joe Allen and Kyle Naughton have crucial roles to play on and off the pitch, after the pair signed new contracts at Swansea City.

Experienced midfielder Allen and defender Naughton recently put pen to paper on deals through to the summer of 2025 in SA1, having produced a string of fine performances under Williams before injuries curtailed their 2023-24 campaigns.

The pair are among the players reporting to Fairwood this week and next for mid-break testing and training, with pre-season fast approaching.

And, while Swans boss Williams admitted their knowledge and understanding of the club makes the pair big assets off the field, he was quick to add that no-one should underestimate what they bring on the field given their displays since his appointment in January.

“These are two guys who really understand the club, and have a great presence,” he said.

“Any players who come into this club will instantly respect them and learn a lot from them. 

“They are also brilliant footballers who will give us brilliant service on the pitch as well, so I am very happy to have them with us.

“They have hugely important roles, and they have that connection and care for this football club, and people pick up on that and will feel what this club means to people. 

“The more of that we have then the better shape we will be in, and the more resilience we have. You need that feeling.

“But you also need quality, and these guys have incredible quality. First and foremost, they are footballers, they are not ambassadors and we should make that clear.

“Of course, they bring added value in certain areas, and they will be a big help for me around the squad, but they are hugely talented footballers and that’s why we are delighted to have Joe and Kyle back.”