Vitor Matos has passionately defended Swansea City forward Liam Cullen, describing players like him as the "soul and heart" of the club, while urging the team not to be burdened by its past glories.
Speaking after Swansea's 2-2 Championship draw with Middlesbrough on Easter Monday, the head coach launched into an impassioned comparison between Cullen and Inter Milan's Alessandro Bastoni. He highlighted the contrasting fan reactions the two players received after recent international disappointments.
"I really don't know how everyone feels so much in doubt when it's Liam or someone similar," Matos said. "Yesterday, in the Inter game, Bastoni was subbed. He was the player who got the red card that maybe put Italy in a hard situation that ended up with them losing the qualification for the play-off. The stadium just stood and started clapping and pushing a player in a really hard moment."
Matos, who took charge in November 2025, emphasized that homegrown talent like Cullen—a product of the Swansea academy—deserves unwavering support from the club and its supporters, especially in difficult moments. The 26-year-old Wales international, who started in an unfamiliar right-flank role against Middlesbrough, has faced consistent social media criticism despite being regularly praised by managers for his attitude and contribution.
The coach pointed to the fan chant for Sam Parker during the Middlesbrough match as an example of the positive culture he wants to foster.
"We need to take care of these players because they are the soul and heart of the club," Matos asserted.
Looking beyond individual support, Matos addressed the broader challenge facing Swansea: moving on from the club's seven-year Premier League era, which ended eight years ago. He suggested that history should be a source of pride, not a weight holding the club back.
"Those times were unbelievable and they are the times we need to build again, but on the way that that's something to be proud of and not something to carry like a big bag of weight on your back," he explained. "We need to enjoy the ride, we need to enjoy the momentum."
With Swansea currently 15th in the Championship table, Matos's comments frame a dual message: protecting key players from undue criticism while building a future unshackled by past achievements.