280: Michu, Swansea City, Topp’s Match Attax Trading Card Game, Premier League 2012/13

Today Mat Jolin-Beech brings us the story of an almost mythical Spanish striker who came to South Wales, led his club to glory and then seemingly disappeared. Whilst not quite as much of a hit across Wales as Owain Glyndwr those on the Gower Peninsula would probably be very grateful for a mystical return from his long exile to lead The Jacks back to the Premier League Promised Land. Over to Mat with more.

One season wonders. There is something memorable, but ultimately disappointing about them. That thing that appears out of nowhere, surprises everyone, and then as quickly as it came, disappears. Like a sneeze. They make an impression, but rarely have a lasting legacy. So, one of the Premier League’s biggest sneezes is the Spaniard Michu.

Now, while it’s not fair in the slightest to compare the hero of Swansea City’s 2012/13 season with a sternutation, it makes the point. Let’s look at the stats. 2012/13 – 43 games, 22 goals Following season, 24 games only 6 goals. Indeed, he only broke double figures in three of his seasons as a professional – one being that first season at Swansea, the others being at Celta B in 2007/08, and the other being at Rayo Vallecano in 2011/12 when he netted 17 and secured the move to Wales. Total career stats, 400 games and 100 goals. One in four. An ok return but not elite.

At Swansea, for that standout season, it was better than one in two. That is very a very good return for anyone. It always looked like Swansea had found a gem, from the moment he scored on his debut away to Queen’s Park Rangers and became the Fantasy Football manager’s hero. But, come the following season, he was done. As a Swans’ fan put on the Michu YouTube highlights reel: “Did he actually exist or was it just a wonderful dream?” But it wasn’t just a fluke season and then a return to bang average form. His career had been building, and even led to a call up to the Spanish national team. And this was peak Spain as well – not the current edition that fell to Morocco in the last 16 of the 2022 World Cup.

Note, his first club was Real Oviedo. This is an important fact we will come back to later. Then Celta Vigo, Rayo Vallecano and building progress of a maturing footballer making his way in the game. As is the case for many footballers – Darren Anderton, Jack Wilshere I’m looking at you – injuries left many people wondering what could have been. It was his ankle that ultimately let him down -and this is something he still suffers with today. Chronic pain, or more accurately “the situation” of his right ankle led to his retirement aged only 31. Only last year, he said he has the ankle of a 90-year-old, and it still gives him severe pain.

Now, that could be all there is to say on Michu. He made an impact, injuries curtailed his carer and he was gone. However, there is more to him and much more to be admired. Back to Oviedo – and that is what Michu did after a short stint with an amateur club. The club was having a torrid time. Severe financial problems let to rapid fire relegations from La Liga to the third tier, before being forced down to the fourth division after being unable to pay its players. In 2012, the money woes continued, and the club hierarchy called on supporters to buy shares to help keep it afloat. Michu, alongside other Oviedo alumni Santi Cazrola, Juan Mata and Adrian, offered their financial might and backing, helping to raise move than Є2 million to prevent closure. At the time, he told the official Swansea website: "It's my local club, a club I love, so I hope it will be enough." So, club saved. That’s a more lasting impact than a sneeze or a one season of goal scoring heroics. Good on him.