Not long ago, Llorente was one of Spain’s first choice centre-forwards. Now, he’s struggling for game time in South Wales.

The agent of Swansea City striker Fernando Llorente admits that the sacking of Francesco Guidolin has had a damaging impact on the Spaniard’s career in South Wales, according to Football Italia.

The 23-time international was a shock arrival at the Liberty Stadium this summer but the early excitement that followed his transfer from Sevilla has been abated by a return of just one, albeit brilliantly taken strike, in nine Premier League appearances coming all the way back in September against Manchester City.

And the fortunes of the former Sevilla, Juventus and Athletic Bilbao striker have hardly improved since Bob Bradley replaced Francisco Guidolin in the managerial hot seat, with the striker utterly ineffectual across 90 minutes against Stoke, subbed off at half-time against Manchester United and left out entirely against Everton.

Consequently, Llorente’s agent and brother has admitted that the 6ft 4ins forward has been badly affected by the departure of Guidolin but has ruled out a January switch to Napoli due to his allegiances with Juventus.

“Things are not going well,” Jesus Llorente, told Football Italia.

“The change of manager was fatal, because it was Guidolin who wanted Fernando. But my brother wants to get back to his level and take Swansea higher. That’s his only objective.

“Napoli? We know Italy, the League is a great League but Fernando is a Juventino. Then, you know, anything can happen in football so you can never say never.

“But there’s a special feeling with Juve.”

Llorente certainly hasn’t been helped by Swansea’s futility in attack recently with his only 90 minute run out in the last two months, that 3-1 defeat at Stoke, characterised by a complete lack of service.

The 31-year-old is not a forward with the ability to craft chances for himself, and he will be desperate for flying wingers Wayne Routledge and Jefferson Montero to return to form and supply him with a stream of crosses.

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