Earlier this month, John Swift missed out on the chance to make history across European football.
The Reading midfielder would have become the first player across the continent in 2021/22 to hit double figures for both goals and assists. In the end, Swift was pipped to the post by a rather bigger name; Serie A star and Euro 2020 winner Domenico Berardi.
But there’s no shame in second place.
Dovetailing beautifully with Lucas Joao en route to Reading’s third goal in the shock 3-2 win at Preston North End, Swift finished off a flowing team-move which, according to new Royals boss Paul Ince, wouldn’t have looked out of place at Barcelona.
And that’s what Swift is all about.
On form, there’s arguably not a better attacking midfielder in the Championship. There’s certainly not a more productive one. This season, the former Chelsea youngster has now contributed 11 goals and 13 assists.
There’s been long-range screamers, inch-perfect through balls, even the odd knuckleball free-kick.
A Swift exit from Reading?
No wonder Reading want to keep him, with Swift’s contract expiring in July. No wonder a handful of clubs from higher up the footballing pyramid are sniffing around.
According to The Star, Swift has admirers not just at Leeds United but also at Burnley and Wolves too.
“We want to keep them both (Swift and the similarly out-of-contract Tom Holmes),” former Reading boss Veljko Paunovic said recently.
“We would love those we want (to keep) to extend. We’re doing the best we can (to get new deals sorted).”
Nearly two months on, Reading are no closer to extending Swift’s deal. More performances like the one against Preston, when he channelled his inner-Iniesta and the Royals turned into Pep’s peak Barcelona, and Swift will be gracing a far larger stage sooner rather than later.
With all due respect to the 12,000 supporters who travelled to Deepdale on Saturday, Swift’s talents deserve to be seen by a wider audience.
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