Swansea’s Llorente compares survival to lifting a title

Earning Premier League survival for yet another season felt like Swansea City were lifting the title, according to striker Fernando Llorente.

The Swans looked doomed for relegation when Paul Clement became their third manager of the season but he turned their form around and earned survival with a game to spare.

Avoiding relegation was in no small part to Llorente who has scored 14 goals this season and was rewarded with three awards at the club’s end of season function.

Llorente picked up Best Newcomer, Top Scorer and Best Goal awards but he revealed that nothing came close to the feeling of staying in the Premier League.

“We have fought a lot to stay in the Premier League, and we deserve to stay,” said Llorente.

“There have been many difficult moments this year, but I am very happy that we are in the Premier League for next season.

(Photo by Athena Pictures/Getty Images)

“It was very hard as we had to fight a lot, but it was worth it in the end.

“For me, it is like we won a title. That is how I felt on the day our status was secured.”

He added: “I have enjoyed my first season in the Premier League a lot. It’s an amazing league.

“I am very happy to have scored a lot of goals for the Swans. Now we look forward to the last game and finishing the season with a win.”