Josh Laurent has relinquished the captain’s armband and is now in the final year of his contract with Stoke City.
Steven Schumacher is eager to keep Josh Laurent despite a summer of transfer speculation. Laurent, who has attracted interest both domestically and internationally as he enters the final year of his Stoke City contract, has recently passed the captain’s armband to Ben Gibson. Although there were indications he might leave, Laurent has been named Gibson’s deputy, starred in the season opener against Coventry, and is set to be a key player against Watford this weekend.
With a few weeks remaining in the transfer window, Schumacher remains committed to Laurent, saying, “I had a conversation with Josh in pre-season and told him he’d played every game for me last season when fit. It shows I rate him highly. He’s a powerful player and, at his best, one of the best in the division.” Schumacher acknowledged Laurent might seek more security but urged him to focus on his training and performance. “As of now, he’s happy here and doesn’t seem to want to leave. Whether we can offer him long-term security will depend on his performances and our assessment.”
This week, Stoke City also strengthened their midfield by signing Bosun Lawal from Celtic. Although the 21-year-old is currently sidelined with an injury, he is expected to make a significant impact over his four-year contract. Originally a centre-back, Lawal has shown his versatility by playing at right-back and excelling in a holding midfield role. Schumacher praised Lawal’s versatility, pace, power, and strength, noting, “He’s a versatile player who’s proven his ability in various positions. I’m confident he’ll do well in this league.”