Angel Rangel hails Spanish influence at Swansea

Swansea City right-back Angel Rangel has praised the impact made by compatriots Michu, Chico Flores and Pablo Hernandez made since their summer arrivals in south Wales.

The Spanish trio have all joined long-serving full-back Rangel as regulars in the Swansea team under Michael Laudrup, with Michu currently joint-second top-scorer in the Premier League this season.

Rangel, who arrived at the Liberty Stadium in 2007, believes that the players have adapted well to the challenges of the Premier League and that Swansea fans should expect them to hit greater heights as the season goes on.

“It can be very difficult sometimes for players to arrive in a foreign country and adapt quickly,” Rangel told the club’s official website.

“It’s a totally different country and the style of football can take some time to get used to. But I think Michu, Chico and Pablo have settled in very quickly.

“Michu has already scored six goals this season, which is brilliant considering he’s only played in eight games.

“He scored 15 goals in La Liga last season and showed his quality. I think he can do the same for us in the Premier League. You have already seen that he can score all types of goals and he wants to help the team defensively as well. So he has been a great buy for us.”

Former Valencia winger Pablo has struggled to get into the side ahead of Nathan Dyer at times, but Rangel is confident that the winger will force his way into first-team plans regularly.

The 27-year-old added: “Pablo, too, is quickly adapting into this team and the Premier League. Of course, he arrived later than Michu and Chico, but he is a quality player.

“He’s a Spanish international, which says a lot about his quality, and I think he gives the manager even more options going forward. I think he will get better and better with every game he plays, and that’s great news for us.”