Stoke City is gearing up for the 2024/25 Championship season, determined to improve on their lackluster performance from the previous year. Finishing in 17th place and narrowly avoiding relegation by six points, the team faces significant pressure to climb the standings under the leadership of manager Steven Schumacher, who is entering his first full season at the helm.
With the summer transfer window open and the club’s retained list announced, Stoke is focusing on strengthening key areas of their squad to ensure a successful season ahead. However, the team’s plans might be disrupted as one of their standout players, Wouter Burger, has attracted interest from Premier League clubs. Tottenham Hotspur and Sheffield United are reportedly keen on signing Burger, who joined Stoke just last year on a four-year contract.
Burger’s arrival at Stoke’s bet365 Stadium was unexpected, given his links to higher-tier clubs. Nonetheless, his decision to join the Potters has proven wise. The 23-year-old played 39 Championship games, scoring three goals and providing four assists, becoming a crucial player for Schumacher. Despite his recent arrival, Burger’s leadership qualities shone through, as he captained the team in Josh Laurent’s absence on nine occasions.
With Tottenham’s manager Ange Postecoglou looking to strengthen his midfield due to Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg’s potential departure, Burger’s reported £12 million valuation presents an attractive opportunity. If Burger moves to North London, Stoke could reinvest the funds to enhance their squad, aiming to improve on their disappointing last season.
While losing Burger would be a significant blow, Stoke stands to make a substantial profit, having signed him from FC Basel for £4.3 million less than a year ago. One potential replacement for Burger is Coventry City’s Josh Eccles. The 24-year-old midfielder has had an impressive season, making 51 appearances and helping his team reach the FA Cup semi-final and nearly securing a Championship play-off spot.
Eccles, who recently signed a new contract with Coventry, could be lured to Stoke if the club uses the funds from Burger’s sale wisely. Both Burger and Eccles play in deeper midfield roles and share similar passing and physical statistics. Although Burger has a slight height advantage, their overall profiles are comparable.
| Wouter Burger and Josh Eccles’ 2023/24 stats compared as per FBRef | ||
| Wouter Burger | Josh Eccles | |
| Appearances | 42 | 44 |
| Goals | 3 | 1 |
| Assists | 5 | 5 |
| Minutes played | 2,896 | 3,277 |
| Passes completed | 1,129 | 1,633 |
| Pass completion % | 74.9% | 80.0% |
| Progressive passes | 184 | 229 |
| Tackles won | 67 | 60 |
| Interceptions | 35 | 44 |
For Stoke, the financial gain from Burger’s sale could be pivotal in their squad rebuild. While the immediate loss of Burger would be felt, the long-term benefits of reinvesting the transfer fee could outweigh the short-term impact, potentially setting the stage for a more successful campaign in the Championship.