John Swift is one of the senior players at Reading Football Club, even though it doesn’t feel like it.
The midfield player, who is about to begin his fourth season at Madejski Stadium, has outlasted all but two members of the team that played Huddersfield in the 2017 play-off final—that is, if we exclude Jordan Obita, who has been out injured for a long time, and Garath McCleary and Chris Gunter, who are on the transfer list.
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It was one of Swift’s worst games wearing a Reading shirt at Wembley. He has, in fact, proven to be a pretty lousy big-game player.
Something has to give eventually. The startling lack of improvement he has made is highlighted by his meager return to the league since that day, which stands at five goals and four assists. Liam Kelly saw a similar plateau, if not outright decline, but Jose Gomes has continued to believe in Swift thus far.
It’s understandable why. The former England youth international has shown a calm demeanor and a creative edge since joining Chelsea, which is likely what drew the Blues to sign him in his preteen years.
However, he has also shown flashes of brilliance and vulnerability, been forced off the ball more often than he has flicked his fringe back, and personified Reading’s mental fragility for years, at least before to Gomes’ arrival.
The player has at last found the ideal coach in the Portuguese leader. Although Jaap Stam performed admirably, he was too obstinate to give Swift the straight running he needed to elevate his play. Another thing that hurt Paul Clement was his inability to decide on a formation and strategy.
The midfielder’s career at 24 is based on three facts. Because Reading’s offense is young, it needs a leader. Jose Gomes is playing in a way that works for him, so he can no longer hide behind the label of “young.”
Reading does well when Swift performs well. As the focal point of the Royals’ creative force for the forthcoming season, he has to perform to the best of his abilities; otherwise, both his career and the team may not reach their full potential.
