Come On Obafemi – Swansea City’s star whose career is finally kickstarting

It has been a season of personified inconsistency for those in Swansea white.

After the optimism from big wins over Blackburn Rovers and Bristol City recently, there have been worse lows in shockers at Stoke City and Sheffield United.

Pressure is mounting on manager Russell Martin, but a man he and Swans fans can begin to rely on is the ever-bustling and industrious Irishman, Michael Obafemi.

Arriving with several years of Premier League experience, expectations of Obafemi were at an all-time high when travelling from Southampton to South Wales.

Obafemi was the latest on the conveyor belt of talent pumping from the girders of the Staplewood warehouse, making his debut aged just 17 years and 199 days for the Saints against Tottenham Hotspur in January 2018.

He was mercurial, yet someone who Ralph Hasenhuttl never really trusted from the get-go.

Dorset Live’s Jacob Tanswell, who used to cover Southampton and was therefore a keen follower of Obafemi’s career, discussed the fans’ feelings when he arrived on the scene.

“Obafemi was really highly rated initially. Ralph [Hasenhuttl] really highly rated his finishing ability as one of the best in the club, and he also scored on his full debut against Huddersfield Town.

“He looked like he’d definitely be part of his plans because Charlie Austin and Manolo Gabbiadini were out of the door. Obafemi pressed well, was quick and had all the attributes to be a starter in the team.”

In truth, his career at Southampton failed to start. His ability to get involved with the build-up was criticised by fans and he never repaid them with any real volume of goals to back it up.

He left them with only five goals in all competitions and Tanswell fails to really remember any memorable moments from the Irish international.

“To be honest, there was never really anything truly to remember from his Southampton career. I suppose his goal at Stamford Bridge, where he cut inside Andreas Christensen and finished past Kepa Arrizabalaga, but even then, for a four-year career, the moments were few and far between.”

The feeling amongst Southampton fans is that too much came too soon. A move to the Championship after only five appearances since the beginning of 2020/21 was probably fair on reflection.

“When he moved down to Swansea, I think it could have been a shock. He needs to be relied upon as one of the main goalscorers rather than hiding as a third or fourth choice. There were always questions on his attitude, despite the fact he has all the raw attributes of at least a top second-tier striker.

“It would definitely take him time to adapt, for sure. Playing regular football when you never have is difficult.”

After his move to Russell Martin’s side, he has struggled to maintain a real stronghold in the starting 11. Martin’s often preferred top goalscorer Joel Piroe and for good reason, but goals in home wins over Blackburn and Bristol City have catapulted him into Swansea fans’ hearts.

‘Come on Obafemi, score some goals for Swansea, we’ll go wild, wild, wild.’

Before this, he had scored just once in a 2-1 defeat to Birmingham City, but featuring in a slightly deeper role alongside and complimenting Piroe has suited him because Tanswell, despite watching him for years, cannot describe the style of player he actually is yet.

“With Obafemi, even after watching him for years I don’t know what to say about wht type of player he is as he used to fleet in and out of games. He’s quick and direct, for sure. I think Ryan Bertrand described him as the quickest player at Saints during his spell with the club. He likes to get in behind and stretch defences. He was always better in a front two.”

This echoes exactly how Martin’s used him recently, interchanging with Piroe in a front two with Obafemi usually the more deep lying.

With the discipline the former MK Dons boss has enforced on him, Tanswell believes Martin is the best man to get a tune out of his forward.

“Leaving him out earlier this season was a brave but very good call from Martin. He needs confidence, but also to know he’s earned his place. We’ve never really seen a consistent run from him and the way he’s dealing with Obafemi’s focus is commendable.

“He’s a confident young individual off the field, but if he can get into a rhythm and score a few goals he can get on a roll, which could be very beneficial for Swansea fans.”

So will Obafemi continue to hit the ground running this year and score more goals for Swansea? It certainly looks like he is on a positive trajectory.

Follow us on Twitter @ProstInt