Competitive Premier League preparation pleases Laudrup

Michael Laudrup feels Swansea City’s competitive fixtures in Europe will benefit the side when the new Premier League season starts.

The Welsh club’s League Cup triumph last season saw them enter the UEFA Europa League at the third round qualifying stage, where they drew Swedish outfit Malmo.

Swansea won the first leg 4-0 and are almost certain to progress, and Laudrup believes the competitive nature of the fixtures is of more benefit than friendly matches.

“I was quite pleased when I knew we had to play these two games before the start of the Premier League,” Laudrup said.

“They are competitive games. We could have played two friendlies so this is much better.

“We will go in on the back of these games and that is a great help to us.

“You look at the first two Premier League games and we have the champions plus Tottenham away; it’s a huge start and it will be very difficult.

“But with the confidence and quality we’ve built up in pre-season, we have to try to maintain it and it can give us something extra going into those games.”

With Swansea heading to Sweden with a big lead, Laudrup is looking to utilise the depth in his squad.

“There will be some changes, but not to rest people,” he continued.

“I’m so confident with what I’ve seen in pre-season, so I want to keep everyone involved. I haven’t decided on my team, but I can guarantee we will be competitive.

“It’s great for me to see that the squad looks strong enough to win whatever changes I make.”