Swansea manager Francesco Guidolin is in the running for the Italy job, but club chairman Huw Jenkins should probably try to tie his man down to Swansea after his side's 1-0 home victory over Chelsea on Saturday.
The win was Swansea's first ever victory over Chelsea in Premier League play, and the second time Guidolin has accomplished such a feat, having led Swansea to a first league victory over Everton, 2-1, in his first game in charge on Jan. 24.
Saturday's win was the result of a brave decision to play an attacking 4-2-3-1, with a first start under Guidolin for the resurgent Jefferson Montero after the Ecuadorian impressed from the bench during last Saturday's come-from-behind 2-2 draw at Stoke. Montero set up Gylfi Sigurdsson's winner, could have scored himself and has definitely done enough to prove he has something to offer Swansea for next season. Though whether Guidolin himself will be a part of the club remains to be seen.
Player ratings (1-10; 10=best; players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating):
GK Lucasz Fabianski, 7 -- Kept another clean sheet, although Chelsea really didn't force any big saves. Was typically commanding in the air, and made sure Swansea's weakness at defending corners didn't spoil their day.
DF Angel Rangel, 6 -- Had a reasonable game, making seven interceptions and three blocks, although will have wanted to do better with his half-chance which ended up as neither a cross nor a shot.
DF Federico Fernandez, 8 -- Shut down nearly everything Chelsea had to offer in the first half, including making an excellent last-ditch tackle to rectify a mistake from Jack Cork. Has never been a flashy player and is rarely given the credit he deserves, but his physical presence was undeniable on Saturday.
DF Ash Williams, 8 -- Where Fernandez had been dominant in the first half, Williams was dominant in the second. The usual display of perfect positioning and no nonsense defending, and he supplied some useful long passes for the forwards, too.
DF Neil Taylor, 6 -- Had a mixed game, winning all of his tackles but ending the match with an un-Swansea like 52 percent pass completion. With Montero in full flow ahead of him, Taylor wasn't asked to contribute much in the attacking third either.
MF Jack Cork, 6 -- An unspectacular game from Cork, who was saved embarrassment by Fernandez's last-ditch tackle after turning the ball over, one of a team-high four turnovers (tied with Andre Ayew). Came close to scoring a spectacular half-volley, which probably offsets his mistake.
MF Leroy Fer, 7 -- A solid all-action display from the Dutchman, who is an asset Swansea should look to add permanently this summer. Surprisingly robust in the tackle for a player mostly associated with attacking play, and once again showed a good eye for a pass and some aerial threat.
MF Andre Ayew, 6 -- Not the Ghanaian's best game, but he was returning from injury. Turned the ball over four times and still needs better positional discipline when starting on the wing. With Montero supplying the crosses, he was continually caught standing on Alberto Paloschi's feet in the centre instead of attacking the back post, which reduces Montero's viable targets by half.
MF Gylfi Sigurdsson, 8 -- Swansea's lone winning goal could only really have been scored by one man at this point. Sigurdsson is lately not just Swansea's best player, but the best player on the pitch in most of the games he plays. Will hopefully remember his underwhelming time at Spurs and choose to stay in Swansea should another big side come calling this summer.
MF Jefferson Montero, 8 -- Picked up where he left off after a high-impact display from the bench against Stoke. Tormented Chelsea's defenders, got two men booked, created the Swans' goal and nearly scored one of his own. Is shining at exactly the right time to assure himself of a place in this summer's rebuilding project.
FW Alberto Paloschi, 8 -- His tireless running, closing and pressing directly led to chances for Swansea, and created space for his fellow attackers to shine. Will add goals given games, but goalscoring aside, his industry is exactly what this team needs from its frontman.
Substitutes:
FW Wayne Routledge, 7 -- Has played well of late and didn't let his bench demotion to reward Montero for last week's super-sub performance affect him. Replaced Ayew in the 66th minute and put in another strong display full of thoughtful attacking play.
FW Bafetimbi Gomis, NR -- Looked exhausted despite only entering the game in the 74th minute for Paloschi and was the polar opposite of the man he replaced, lazy and lethargic where the Italian had been so energetic. Played like a man already done with this season and possibly this team.
DF Kyle Naughton, NR -- Came on for Montero in the 84th minute as Guidolin's inevitable defensive substitution to protect the lead, but didn't have time to influence the game.