Among the new faces trying to settle at Swansea is Elijah Just, Stamenic’s international team-mate who managed three goals at the World Cup.
Stamenic says he played a small part in the attacking midfielder’s move from Motherwell, having spoken to Just – as well as Swansea chief executive Tom Gorringe – while the deal was in the pipeline.
“I have brought him along now,” Stamenic says with another grin.
“He’s a talented, a great player, and obviously a great guy. I’m really happy to have him here and I’m hoping the club is going to see what he brings.”
Just made his league debut at Stoke alongside fellow new recruits Stephen Welsh, Joseph Opoku and Moussa Yeo.
With another summer addition, Ross Stewart, available for the first time this weekend, Swansea’s squad looks fairly healthy, even if there is still work to do in the transfer market.
And after an 11th-place finish last season, Stamenic says Swansea have loftier ambitions for 2026-27 – though he is quick to take a leaf out of Matos’ book by insisting all eyes are on the next game.
“There’s no hiding the fact that all of our goals and aspirations are to get promoted – we can’t lie about that,” Stamenic says.
“But on a day-to-day basis, we’re just focusing on training, making sure the standard is high, and then when it comes to Saturday, on doing our job.”
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