Zan Vipotnik, Swansea City’s leading goalscorer last season, has yet to find the net in the current Championship campaign despite his team’s strong start. Manager Vitor Matos remains confident the Slovenia international will return to form.
Swansea currently lead the Championship table after six games, but Vipotnik, 24, has not scored in any of those matches. Last season, he secured the second-tier golden boot with 23 league goals, starting strongly with five goals in his first six appearances. He has failed to replicate that form this season, most recently being unable to score in Saturday’s goalless Welsh derby against Wrexham despite appearing lively off the bench.
Swans boss Vitor Matos believes Vipotnik’s goalscoring ability remains intact. “I think if someone knows how to score goals it's him, so I think it's just a matter of scoring,” Matos stated. Vipotnik has only made one league start this season, with Adam Idah, a £6m signing from Celtic, preferred in every game since the opening day win at Stoke City. Idah has scored two goals so far this season after missing most of last season through injury.
There has been speculation regarding Vipotnik’s future, with Swansea potentially open to cashing in on a player who significantly outperformed his expected goals (xG) last season. Hull City made a £10m bid which was turned down, and Matos stated he was unaware of any deadline day interest from Burnley. He conceded, however, that a departure cannot be entirely ruled out as transfer windows remain open in other countries, such as Saudi Arabia.
Former Wales striker Nathan Blake believes the transfer speculation and subsequent benching have affected Vipotnik’s mindset. “I could see by looking at his face, he's not on it. He's probably two or three yards short mentally because of what is going on,” Blake said late last month. Matos conceded last week that this may have had an impact, stating, “It's normal that some things can unsettle you when we are in the middle of all of this.”
With Ross Stewart injured, Matos was asked if Tuesday’s game against Southampton would be an opportunity to reintroduce Vipotnik to the starting line-up. He responded that they need to see what is best for the team.
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