Swansea bossBob Bradley has instructed struggling Spanish striker,Fernando Llorente, to improve his fitness and become more mobile, if he wants to regain his place in the matchday squad.
Scotland U21 striker,Oli McBurnie, was selected on the benchahead of Llorente in last week'sdraw against Everton. WithGylfi Sigurdsson the preferred option leading the line, as quoted inWalesOnline,Bradley stressed the importance of movement from his strikers.
Fernando Llorente has been linked with a move back to Italy, with his agent saying "never say never". #Swans https://t.co/sUPTak63dq pic.twitter.com/rMvomtcMA5
I felt that specifically against Stoke and Man Utd. I felt as a team, we didn't do a good job of how we used Fernando “ and I don't think Fernando did a good enough job of moving in those games, of challenging defenders with his movement. There's still a higher level to come from him.�
Llorente's agent and brother, Jesus, stirred thing up, by tellingItalian media channelsthat a return to Serie A could be on the cards.After a shaky start to life in Wales, Bradley admitted such comments are unhelpful and warned players to take responsibility for their agents.
It does annoy me when agents speak out about players, but without having been there, I can't really tell you (what was said),� said Bradley.
"It's a player's responsibility to control the agent. An agent is still working for the player. I've told many players over the years that's their responsibility".
With just one goal in 10 appearances, the £5million summer signing has been given some reassurances by his boss.
Fernando has a future here, he is a good man,� said Bradley.
I had a very good conversation with Fernando when I told him he would not be in the squad for the Everton game.
Before he arrived he'd had a stretch of injuries. He got here, he's had some little knocks and I just told him. I've watched him plenty, I felt we'd made strides with him physically, but he still wasn't where he needed to be.
Fernando Llorente's agent: "It's not going well at Swansea. The change of manager was fatal, because it was Guidolin who wanted Fernando." pic.twitter.com/u5QgBEqPRP
I felt his response to all that was playing with a little less mobility, and I think Fernando's best games in the past have not been about him being a target man.
I don't think it's hard for Fernando to hear because he's honest to himself. When he's not in his best form or fitness, he knows that�.