Swansea

Vitor Matos has said players like Liam Cullen are the “soul and heart” of Swansea City as he insisted the club cannot be dragged down by the weight of history.

Swansea are 15th in the Championship following their entertaining 2-2 draw with Middlesbrough on Monday.

After the game, Matos was asked about Cullen’s unfamiliar starting role on the right flank against Boro – and responded by launching a passionate defence of the versatile Wales international.

Swansea academy product Cullen has been consistently praised by managers for his attitude and contribution for club and country.

However, that has not stopped the 26-year-old from facing social media criticism on a regular basis.

The latest example of that came following Wales’ World Cup play-off semi-final defeat to Bosnia-Herzegovina last month, when Cullen featured as a substitute.

Matos has drawn comparisons between Cullen and Inter Milan defender Alessandro Bastoni, who was sent off in Italy’s play-off final loss to the Bosnians four days later.

“I really don’t know what is, how do I say, how everyone feels so much in doubt when it’s Liam or someone similar, because I just give this example,” the Swansea head coach said.

Frank Lampard hopes Matt Grimes’ “very classy” decision not to celebrate his goal against Swansea City will end the boos when the midfielder faces his old club.

Grimes was given an icy reception on his first return to the Swansea.com Stadium since ending a 10-year spell as a Swan when he joined Coventry City in January 2025.

Yet when he responded by scoring Coventry’s second goal in the Championship leaders’ 3-0 win on Saturday, the 30-year-old raised his hands in apology.

“A lot of people, maybe including me, would have had a little celebration having got booed, but it’s a sign of the man he is,” said Sky Blues boss Lampard.