Zan Vipotnik scored 23 Championship goals last season to claim the second-tier golden boot. Five games into 2026-27, Swansea City sit top of the table and their leading scorer from that campaign has yet to find the net.

The Slovenian forward came off the bench in Saturday's goalless Welsh derby with Wrexham and looked lively, stretching to reach a late chance only for Anthony Patterson to deny him. It was the closest he has come to breaking his duck, and it summed up his season so far: involved, threatening, but not yet on the scoresheet.

Idah filling the void

The most obvious explanation for Vipotnik's quiet start is that he has been given just one league start this season. Adam Idah, who cost Swansea £6m from Celtic a year ago, missed most of the last campaign through injury but has returned fit and productive, scoring twice in the opening five fixtures. Idah has started every league game since the opening-day win at Stoke City, pushing the golden boot winner to the bench.

Last season Vipotnik hit five goals from his first six appearances. That electric start masked what the underlying numbers suggested: he outscored his expected goals by a notable margin, finishing well above what the quality of his chances would typically produce. Whether he can do the same again, from a standing start with limited minutes, is the question hanging over Swansea's attack.

Speculation took its toll

The slow start has not happened in isolation. A summer of transfer speculation unsettled the 24-year-old, with Hull City submitting a £10m bid that Swansea rejected. Manager Vitor Matos said he was unaware of deadline-day interest from Burnley, though windows remaining open in other markets, most notably Saudi Arabia, mean a departure cannot be fully ruled out. The signing of Ross Stewart, a Scotland forward who arrived after leaving Southampton, only fuelled the impression that Vipotnik might be surplus to requirements.

Former Wales striker Nathan Blake said last month that the speculation had visibly affected Vipotnik, arguing the player looked mentally short of where he needed to be. Matos acknowledged as much, conceding it was "normal that some things can unsettle you when we are in the middle of all of this."

Matos backs him to come good

For all that, the Swansea head coach projects calm. Asked whether Vipotnik would rediscover his form, Matos was direct: "I think if someone knows how to score goals it's him, so I think it's just a matter of scoring." He pointed to the Wrexham cameo as evidence that the mentality is right, noting that Vipotnik "came on really sharp, fought for the duels, fought for the first ball, second ball, tried to arrive in the box." The goal, Matos insisted, will come.

Stewart's injury ahead of Tuesday evening's trip to Southampton (19:45) means a starting opportunity may arrive sooner than expected. Swansea play their third match in seven days and rotation looks likely. Matos refused to commit when pressed, saying only: "We need to see what is best for the team."

Table leaders with the meanest defence in the EFL

The broader picture at Swansea remains striking. Five games in, they lead the Championship having conceded just once, the best defensive record anywhere in the EFL. Tuesday's opponents, Southampton, arrive in strong form themselves, scoring five against Millwall in their last home fixture. Matos described them as "one of the best teams in the league, a proper contender to win the league and to get promoted."

Whether Vipotnik starts or not, Swansea's unbeaten run is built on a collective effort that has given the club every reason to believe their position is no fluke. A first goal from the man who drove them last season would, though, turn a promising opening into something more emphatic.

Frequently asked

Why is Zan Vipotnik not starting for Swansea this season?
Adam Idah, who missed most of last season through injury, has claimed the starting striker role with two goals in five games, limiting Vipotnik to mainly substitute appearances.
How many goals did Vipotnik score in the Championship last season?
Vipotnik scored 23 league goals in 2025-26 to win the Championship golden boot, finishing well above what his expected goals tally suggested.
Are Swansea City top of the Championship in 2026-27?
Yes. Swansea lead the Championship after five games, with an unbeaten record and just one goal conceded, the best defensive return in the EFL.