The tough cookies

Gareth Bale may be the most talked about footballer this summer but Wales has more reasons to celebrate this season . They now have two representatives in the Premier League — Swansea City and newly promoted Cardiff City.
Bitter rivalry aside, Cardiff would love to do what Swansea have done in two seasons in the top flight.
After flying into the Premier League in 2011, the Swans reached even greater heights in the 2012-13 season, winning the League Cup and finishing ninth in the league.It was a season to remember for the club which was in the third division in 2005 and had flirted with dangers such as relegation to the conference and bankruptcy in the past.
While they were nicknamed ‘Swanselona' for their tiki-taka passing under Brendan Rodgers, under Michael Laudrup they showed that the seemingly thoroughbred beast had a bit of mongrel in its blood.
Last season they showed the ability to grind out results while still playing an attacking brand of football. The result? A top-half finish and their first piece of major silverware.
Laudrup showed he had the eye for a good deal too, with some smart signings and the pick of the lot was Michu who was by far the best piece of business across the Premier League last season.
Signed from Rayo Vallecano for a pittance (£2 million), the lanky Spanish midfielder flourished as a lone striker in a 4-2-3-1 formation racking up 18 goals. Michu now has club record buy Wilfried Bony to share the load. They may have avoided the ‘second season syndrome' but some believe last season was an overachievement and may be hard to repeat. Add to that the fact that they face champions Manchester United on the opening day.
However, they now stand one step away from the group stage of the Europa League (as a result of winning the League Cup last season) and if they continue this rapid rise, there may be more seasons in Europe to come.
STARS WHO CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE
MICHU:
The Spanish attacker was the signing of the season last time and had a dream run despite playing out of position as a lone striker. This season he may be used in his preferred position as a No. 10 with new boy Bony up front. If he can reproduce last season's form, he can certainly inspire the team to greater heights.
Ashley Williams:
The man who “could have killed Robin van Persie” , according to Alex Ferguson. is expected to lead the Swans this year. The intelligent, ballplaying centre-back was linked with a move to Arsenal earlier in the summer but that did not materialize.
Michel Vorm:
The Dutch 'keeper with a knack of stopping penalties was signed by Brendan Rodgers for just £1.5 million from Utrecht and two outstanding seasons later, his value has increased by almost ten times. While not the biggest in terms of size, he is an efficient shotstopper and is excellent with the ball at his feet.
Jonathan de Guzman:
The Canada-born Dutch midfielder has extended his loan stay from Villareal by another season. The dead-ball specialist pulled the strings from midfield last season and has an eye for goal too. As the deep-lying playmaker in Laudrup's 4-2-3-1 formation, he is a vital creative outlet with his passing and vision.
TRANSFERS
WHO'S IN:
Jernade Meade (Defender from Arsenal, free transfer), Wilfried Bony (Striker from Vitesse, £13 million), Jonjo Shelvey (Midfielder from Liverpool, £5 million), Alejandro Pozuelo (Midfielder from Real Betis, £500,000), Alexander Gojic (Midfielder from Olympiakos, free transfer), Gregor Zabret (Goalkeeper from NK Domzale, undisclosed), Jordi Amat (Defender from Espanyol, £2 million), Jose Canas (Midfielder from Real Betis, free transfer)
WHO'S OUT:
Kemy Agustien (Midfielder to Brighton & Hove Albion, free transfer), Mark Gower (Midfielder to Charlton, free transfer), Dwight Tiendalli (Defender, contract expired), Itay Shechter (Striker to Kaiserlautern, loan ended); SENT ON SEASON LOAN: Alan Tate (Defender to Yeovil Town), Kyle Bartley (Defender to Birmingham City), David Cornell ('keeper to St Mirren)
MICHAEL LAUDRUP
In his playing days the Great Dane, Laudrup truly epitomized the beautiful game with his slick passing and silky skills. He turned out for some of the world's biggest clubs including both Barcelona and Real Madrid (where he is still regarded as an all-time great). As a manager, he is yet to manage a big club but has proven time and again that he can get the so called ‘little clubs' to punch above their weight. His teams are known to play attractive, attacking football. He also added depth to his squad.
Laudrup factfile:
Name: MICHAEL LAUDRUP I Age: 49 I Nationality: Danish I Playing career: KB, Brondby, Lazio, Juventus, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Vissel Kobe, Ajax I Clubs managed: Brondby, Getafe, Spartak Moscow, Mallorca, Swansea