Patched-up Roque ready for Chelsea
Roque Mesa is ready for action at Chelsea despite his “welcome to the Premier League” moment against Bournemouth.
The Spanish star started a league game for only the second time since his summer move from Las Palmas as Swansea City drew with the Cherries last weekend.
Roque Mesa produced an impressive display at the base of midfield, with boss Paul Clement making a point of praising him afterwards.
The 28-year-old completed 90 minutes for the first time in the English top flight – and that was despite the fact that he needed extensive treatment on a head wound in the second half.
Roque Mesa was caught by arm of Bournemouth forward Josh King, hence he finished the game with his head in a bandage.
“I had to have three stitches,” Roque Mesa said.
“But this is the Premier League – it doesn’t happen in Spain.
“I said to myself ‘Welcome to the Premier League’.”
Roque Mesa’s only other league start for the Swans came against Manchester United back in August.
Clement stressed for some time that the man from Gran Canaria needed time to get used to the English game.
But he stated ahead of Bournemouth that Roque Mesa’s adaptation period was over – and then saluted his performance.
“I was very happy to have started the match,” Roque Mesa added.
“I always want to help the team. The manager gave me the opportunity to play and I tried to do what I know to bring some balance to the team.
“Now we face an exciting match against Chelsea. We know it’s very difficult to score there, but we’ll try to play the way we did against Bournemouth and hopefully get something.”
Roque Mesa heads to Stamford Bridge with confidence after his weekend display, and the same goes for his team.
After four successive league defeats, the Bournemouth draw has lifted the Swans’ sprits at the start of the busiest spell of the season.
“The team tried to get a win from the first minute against Bournemouth,” Roque Mesa said.
“Bournemouth are a good team and we knew it would be difficult. We played much better in the second half and had some chances to score.
“It was a bit frustrating because we played well. For the fans, the club and for us I thought we deserved more.”
