Swansea City

It's been an exciting six years for Swansea City AFC, having battled from the lowest tier of English football to the very top, all culminating in one of the most exciting playoff matches for Premiership in recent memory. It's been so eventful that many have wondered if they have any fuel left in their tank. This Cinderella club is determined to prove that they do.

Earlier this month, Newcastle United submitted a bid for the Swans' 22-year-old defender, Neil Taylor, at an undisclosed amount. This week, Swansea responded firmly that he's not for sale.

Taylor, who was a key component of the Swans' success during a 2010-11 season that made them the first Welsh club to land a coveted position in the Premier League, was acquired by the club on a free transfer from Wrexham prior to the season's start. The left back has made a huge impression on the club in his 32 appearances, and they have no interest in seeing him leave.

Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins was quoted by the BBC, saying, "We recognize Neil as a young, talented Welsh player." He added, "We look forward to seeing him play a big role as we enter the Premier League."

The move sends an important message to their new Premier League competition, demonstrating that they will not make the mistake of selling off any ingredients of their working formula and fall into the black hole of relegation. Instead, they will seek and keep all the talent necessary to continue their success and become perennial Premier League competitors.

"That is why we have rejected Newcastle's bid," said Jenkins. "We have a big challenge ahead in the Premier League, but together we can maintain the progress made by this club over the last few years."

Whether their pursuit of that continued success can be achieved is yet to be seen. But without a doubt, the Swans are making the right moves and should be as much of an exciting force in the top tier as they were in the championship.

Swansea City could be set to make a coup in the transfer market as they look to sign Villareal veteran, Marcos Senna.

The former Spanish international looks as though he might be considering a move away from El Madigral despite the club’s desire to discuss a contract extension. Senna’s agent has spoken of contact between his client and the Welsh club, insisting that a move to the Premier League is a very viable option.

The Brazilian born player would fit in perfectly with the Swansea City set up as he could add experience and composure to the young midfield. The World Cup winner earned plaudits across the globe after playing a crucial role in Spain’s Euro 2008 winning campaign.

The midfielder has fallen out of favour at both international and club level since then and would be interested in a move to England to start a new chapter in his career. This is the last opportunity he will get to move to the EPL as he draws closer to the end of his playing days and such a move would suit him and Brendan Rodger’s team well.

The 34-year-old shows beautiful skill and elegancy on the ball and helps to dictate the game from midfield which would work well with the likes of Leon Britton and Joe Allen just in front of him. Their work rate and movement would help him to play a short passing game in the vein of the Busquets, Xavi and Iniesta trio.

Rodgers likes his team to build on the philosophy instilled by Roberto Martinez and play a style of football reminiscent of Barcelona and the Spanish national team and Marcos Senna could be the final piece to that puzzle.

The Villareal man shares similarities as a player with Patrick Vieira and like Manchester City did in bringing in the former Arsenal midfielder, Swansea City would only benefit from the experience and technical ability of his doppelganger.  

This could be a great step in the right direction for Brendan Rodgers as he looks to bring the beautiful game of the South Wales club to spectators of the English Premier League.

Ladies and gentlemen, dear readers here on Bleacher Report, it is my honor to welcome another piece of history to the Premier League.

No, it's not Imogen Thomas being the reason why Manchester United squandered the UEFA Champions League title last Saturday. I'm talking about the first Welsh team in the competition.

Introducing...the Swans of Swansea City Association Football Club, also known as Clwb Pêl-droed Dinas Abertawe.

Under manager Brendan Rodgers, they defeated Reading at Wembley Stadium in the Football League Championship Playoff Final 4-2 to book their place in the top flight of the English football pyramid.

Let us spare a thought for Cardiff City, who rightfully sacked manager Dave Jones after the Swans not only kept up with the Joneses, but bested them in winning the honor of the first club to represent Wales in the Premier League.

A little side note: Cardiff did spend a decade and a half in the old First Division, Arsenal">decades ago.

Back to the Swans. Not too long ago, Swansea were staring at the face of relegation to the Football Conference National. They were even looking at a winding-up from the courts.

However, a white knight by the name of Mel Nurse (bless his heart) led a consortium of supporters and local businessmen in purchasing the club, and from that point, the Swans never looked back.

"Eight years ago the club won the last game of the season against Hull to stay in the Football League," Rodgers told the BBC after the match on Monday.

"And Swansea won that game 4-2 and one player scored a hat-trick that included two penalties.

"So it is absolutely ironic that to become the first Welsh team to go into the Premier League that someone got a hat-trick with penalties and we won 4-2. The footballing gods were with us."

That man: Scott Sinclair, a former Chelsea bookend who turned in the performance of his career, scoring three of Swansea's goals.

"Years ago the club couldn't even pay the electricity bill at the Vetch [the old Vetch Field]," Rodgers remarked, "which is absolutely incredible if you look that we have just won the £90m game.

"It took brave people to come in and save the club. The club was very unstable in that moment but what you had is local businessmen and basically supporters who had the club at their heart. They were making decisions as supporters rather than as businessmen."

Rodgers admitted that Swansea had a little bit of inspiration from a certain team led by the world's best footballer who won Europe's richest club prize two nights ago.

"Nine out of 10 good managers wouldn't suit the Swansea way in how the club want to play," Rodgers said, "a wee bit like the Barcelona philosophy where they have a method and each manager brings in a new slant.

"And the Premier League will be a better place with Swansea in it."

Who knows how far Swansea City will go in the Premier League. Next year could be the only year they are in the top flight, a la Blackpool. Or they could be in it for five years. Or 10 years. Or even a while.

Regardless of the duration, one thing is for sure: Wales' second city is home to Wales' first team in the Premier League.

So I want you to raise a glass and tip your hat to the Swans. Here's to Swansea City AFC and to what we hope will be the start of numerous exciting encounters involving the best teams in England at the Liberty Stadium.

Swansea City are set to welcome Nottingham Forest to the Liberty Stadium tonight with both clubs eyeing Premier League football next season. The Swans hold the advantage after the first leg finished 0-0 at Forest. The Welsh club will have their fans behind them tonight as they aim to book their place at Wembley.

Last Thursday got off to a shocker for the Swans as Neil Taylor was sent off for a silly challenge less than a minute into the game. Swansea fans probably assumed that the dream was over and that Forest, who have experience in the Play-offs as recently as last season, would go on win the game comfortably.

Far from it. Nathan Dyer was in superb form and created a ridiculous amount of chances in the first half leaving many wondering how it was still goalless at the half time interval. Early in the second half, Dyer continued to press and create chances but as the game went on, Forest took over and started to finally come into the game in an attacking  sense. However, Swansea managed to hang on, and after playing a full match 10 versus 11 without conceding, they will be brimming with confidence when they step out in front of their home fans tonight.

The excellence of Nathan Dyer was illustrated in that match and emphasised the reasons behind the fans voting him as the Swansea Player of the Season. The favourite for the award was of course, Scott Sinclair who earlier finished runner-up to the wonderful, Adel Taarabt in the Championship Player of the Season awards. These two players are the key reasons why Swansea will be promoted to the Premier League on May 30th.

These two wingers add a dimension to the team that is not often seen at Championship level. Scott Sinclair has managed 24 goals in all competitions so far this season, making him the club's top goal scorer. That is an incredible feat for a winger. It is a feat however, that has been absolutely necessary as the club has struggled to find a prolific striker.

Nathan Dyer has also been in superb form this season, adding a few goals and also creating an extortionate amount of chances throughout the campaign. Not only is his creative ability a key factor to the club's success but his work rate is incomparable to many in the Championship and has made him a real asset in the big games. These two do not belong at this level and have proved that this season, they are Premier League players.

The introduction of Chelsea loanee Franco Borini has also been a catalyst for their resurgence at the latter stage of the season. The young Italian has added to the goalscoring potential of the squad, as they largely had to rely on Scott Sinclair when Luke Moore was utilised as a lone striker, as he contributed little on the goalscoring front. Borini has shown his potential as a football player, not only with his Drogba-esque free kicks but also his ability to bring the wingers and runners from midfield into play.

The introduction of Stephen Dobbie into the hole between the forward and midfield has also allowed the team to be more creative and expansive in their football. This gives Leon Britton and Joe Allen the opportunity to win the ball back and allow the forwards to come into the game and create their own goalscoring chances.

It is not only the attack that is Premiership standard on this team but also the defensive capabilities of Ashley Williams and co. The Swans have only conceded 11 goals at home this season, which will strike fear into the forwards of Nottingham Forest. They show a great level of efficiency across the back four which is highlighted by the goalkeeper Dorus De Vries, who shows similar composure to that of his Dutch compatriot, Edwin Van Der Sar. Brendan Rodgers learnt many things when under Jose Mourinho and it is the characteristics of a stone wall defence and lethal attack that have defined Mourinho's career.

It is these characteristics and also the hard working midfield of Britton and Allen that give Swansea all the capabilities to succeed in the Premier League. If they are to beat Nottingham Forest this evening and seal a place in the final at Wembley then there is a strong possibility that their opponents will be Cardiff.

A South Wales derby would be something special to look forward to that the play-off finals have rarely seen in the past. It would be a massive occasion for the two clubs with bragging rights that would last for a lifetime. After all of the beauty and efficiency shown by Swansea this season, it will no doubt be them who are bragging come the climax of the Play-off Final as they secure promotion to the Premier League.