Melker Widell's revival under Vitor Matos has become a central theme in Swansea City's promotion challenge. The Swedish midfielder's consistent performances have turned him from a fringe player into a key starter, with the team winning 14 of the 21 Championship matches he has begun under the Portuguese coach.
Widell joined Swansea in January 2025 but initially struggled, at times not even making the bench under former boss Alan Sheehan. His fortunes changed dramatically after Matos's appointment last November. Since then, he has started 21 league games, with Swansea losing only three of those, against Southampton, Coventry City and Ipswich Town. He recently made his 50th league appearance for the club in last weekend's 1-0 defeat to West Ham United.
Tactical flexibility and mindset
Widell's value lies in his versatility and work ethic. Primarily a central midfielder, he has also been deployed out wide and even as a false nine. His ticket to regular minutes, he says, is a simple one. "The ticket to play here is doing the counter-press," Widell explained. "If you do the counter-press well, then you will get some minutes." This mindset has made him a favourite of Matos, who is known for relying heavily on his substitutes.
International interest builds
Widell's form has not gone unnoticed internationally, with a line of communication open to Sweden head coach Graham Potter. The former Swansea boss receives regular updates on the midfielder's attributes from the club's long-serving kit staff, Michael Eames and Shaun Baggridge. Widell, capped once in March 2025, acknowledges the competition in Sweden's squad but remains hopeful. "I know that he was here before and they were they were here then as well," Widell said with a smile. "I hope that if he does call them that they give good words!"
Swansea's strong league position provides the perfect platform. They sit top of the Championship with 23 points from 11 games, one point clear of Middlesbrough, and aim to bounce back from the West Ham loss at Queens Park Rangers on Saturday. Widell believes the squad's depth, a key difference from last season, fuels their ambition. "The team that starts one week won't start the other week and the level of quality of performance will be almost the same," he said. Every player wants to reach the Premier League, he added, and a positive response at Loftus Road would be a significant statement.
Matos consistently focuses his players on the next game rather than the distant prize. Despite this, the team's performances have created a genuine belief they can contend. A victory away to QPR, which would be a fifth win in six on the road this season, would further solidify that belief and perhaps send another compelling notification to Graham Potter.
More detail at bbc.com
