By Gareth Vincent
South Wales Evening Post

Roberto Martinez has banned Spanish chat from the Swansea City dressing room in a bid to inspire unity within his new-look squad.

The arrivals of Albert Serran, Jordi Gomez, Gorka Pintado and Federico Bessone mean Swansea have a whopping seven Spanish speakers on the playing staff.

But Martinez has told his fellow countrymen - plus Argentine Bessone - they must talk in English only when on Swansea duty.

That could be a challenge initially for the new recruits, but the Swansea boss expects them to improve their English as quickly as Guillem Bauza, Angel Rangel and Andrea Orlandi did this time last year.

"We have told the players that only English is to be spoken when they are working for Swansea City," said Martinez, whose new recruits are already taking English lessons.

"That was the first rule we set out on the first day of pre-season, and the second was that we mix things up at mealtimes.

"We cannot have only one nationality sitting on one table, but I'm sure there will be no problems.

"We have got core players like Garry Monk, Leon Britton, Alan Tate and Kris O'Leary.

"They look like they were born in this football club and they will give guidance to everyone else.

"And if something is not working, I will be the first to spot it and put it right."

Martinez's summer of shopping in his homeland has left some fans concerned that Swansea could have too many Spaniards on board for a tilt at a physical league like the Championship.

But Martinez brushes aside suggestions that the balance of the Liberty Stadium playing staff may be wrong.

"Nationality doesn't count at all," he added.

"What counts is character, and we are bringing in people who are hungry for success.

"They will be proud to play at the Liberty in front of our fans.

"We have not tried to get names or to spend money just for the sake of it this summer, we've looked to add quality to our squad.

"Where the players come from doesn't matter.

"Just look at the way Guillem Bauza, Angel Rangel and Andrea Orlandi settled last season.

"For me they are as good as Welshmen now, and they feel that way too."