Stoke City must engage in shrewd transfer dealings during the final stages of the summer window to enhance their prospects after a lackluster 2023/24 season. This period is crucial for setting the foundation for a better performance in the upcoming campaign.
Steven Schumacher, who took over as head coach last December following his departure from Plymouth Argyle, successfully steered Stoke to safety in the Championship after the dismissal of Alex Neil. Now, Schumacher is navigating his first summer at the helm, aiming to reshape the team and infuse it with his vision.
To this end, Schumacher has already made several acquisitions. Goalkeeper Viktor Johansson, center-back Ben Gibson, wing-back Eric Bocat, and striker Sam Gallagher have joined from Rotherham United, Norwich City, Sint-Truiden, and Blackburn Rovers, respectively. These new signings mark the beginning of Schumacher’s efforts to imprint his style on the squad.
However, further transfers are anticipated in the weeks leading up to the August 30 deadline. Schumacher and his team face the significant task of finalizing the squad to ensure it is well-prepared for the season ahead. In light of this, we have identified four ideal scenarios that would delight Stoke supporters if they materialize in the coming month.
Tom Cannon joins
Leicester City striker Tom Cannon would be a perfect addition for Stoke City to bolster their scoring capabilities, addressing a major shortfall from the previous season. Reports suggest that Stoke is keen on securing Cannon’s services for the 2024/25 season.
According to the Telegraph, Stoke is among several Championship clubs interested in acquiring Cannon on loan this summer. They have rekindled their interest in the 21-year-old, who joined Leicester from Everton last summer after initially considering him.
Steven Schumacher, Stoke’s head coach, is focused on signing a new forward before the season begins. Although Sam Gallagher has recently joined the team, Schumacher is likely seeking another, more prolific center-forward to enhance the squad’s offensive strength.
Improving their goal-scoring record is crucial for Stoke in the 2024/25 season, as they ranked sixth-lowest in the Championship for goals scored last season. Strikers Ryan Mmaee, Tyrese Campbell, Niall Ennis, Nathan Lowe, and Wesley collectively scored only eight league goals, with Andre Vidigal finishing as the top scorer with six goals.
Cannon, who joined Leicester for around £7.5 million from Everton after an impressive loan spell at Preston North End, made only 13 league appearances for Leicester last season as they won the Championship. With limited opportunities in the Premier League, he is expected to be loaned out, especially since he still has four years remaining on his contract. However, the Telegraph reports that Leicester’s new manager, Steve Cooper, plans to assess Cannon in pre-season before making a decision on his future, meaning Stoke may have to wait for a resolution.
This pursuit could extend until the end of the summer transfer window, but securing Cannon’s signature this month would generate excitement among fans and ensure the club has adequate depth upfront for the upcoming season.
Luke Cundle joins
Stoke City need a creative midfielder this summer, and former Wolves loanee Luke Cundle would be an ideal addition to Steven Schumacher’s squad for the new season.
The 21-year-old Cundle initially spent the first half of last season at Plymouth Argyle before following Schumacher to Stoke City in January. He began his stint at Stoke as a starter but quickly found himself on the bench after struggling to make an impact in the midfield.
Cundle made a notable contribution when he came off the bench to score his first goal for Stoke in a relegation battle against Sheffield Wednesday in April. He then started in all of Stoke’s final three league games, helping the team secure victories in each match without conceding a goal. In the season finale against Bristol City, Cundle delivered an outstanding performance, scoring a goal and providing two assists, capping off a remarkable final month with the club.
| Luke Cundle Stoke City 2023/24 Championship statistics | |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 16 |
| Goals | 2 |
| Assists | 2 |
| Progressive carries per 90 | 1.38 |
| Progressive passes per 90 | 5.69 |
| Shot-creating actions per 90 | 3.02 |
| Stats as per FBref | |
Luke Cundle won over the Stoke fans by offering something unique compared to the rest of their midfielders. Playing as the most advanced midfielder on the left in Schumacher’s 4-3-3 system, Cundle was more effective in the final third and combined well with wingers Bae Jun-ho and Million Manhoef.
Bringing him back to the bet365 Stadium this summer seems like an obvious choice. Securing his services, either on loan or through a permanent deal from Wolves, should be feasible in the coming weeks.
Josh Laurent’s saga is resolved
Josh Laurent, who moved from Reading to Stoke City in 2022, has since become a vital player and captain in central midfield under both former coach Alex Neil and current head coach Steven Schumacher.
Despite his significance to the team, Laurent has been linked with a move away from the bet365 Stadium ahead of the new season. The Athletic reported that he is “likely to leave” if the club’s valuation is met, amid interest from clubs across Europe.
The 29-year-old, who has just one year left on his contract, was reportedly targeted by Super Lig side Gaziantep earlier in the summer, according to Turkish outlet Telgraf. The Athletic also noted interest from other Championship clubs, but rumors of his potential departure have quieted in recent weeks.
Given his role as club captain and his importance to next season’s squad, Stoke fans and Schumacher would appreciate clarity on his situation this month. Resolving Laurent’s future promptly would allow Stoke to either find a suitable replacement if he leaves or focus on signing players for other key positions without needing to address an additional gap in their midfield.
A new centre-back joins
Stoke City have already signed Ben Gibson as a center-back this summer but are looking to add another defender following Michael Rose’s injury, which is expected to sideline him for up to ten weeks.
Currently, Stoke’s senior center-back options include Gibson, Rose, and Ben Wilmot. Additionally, promising youngsters Jaden Dixon and Freddie Anderson, who featured in pre-season, may get first-team opportunities but are not expected to play regularly in the Championship.
Rose sustained an ankle injury during a friendly against Crewe Alexandra on July 23, ruling him out until at least the end of September. This development has prompted head coach Steven Schumacher to prioritize signing a new center-back before the transfer window closes on August 30.
The Telegraph’s John Percy suggested that Leicester City center-back Harry Souttar could return to the bet365 Stadium on loan, with Stoke and other Championship clubs, including Sheffield United, showing interest. However, a return for Souttar seems unlikely at this stage, leading Stoke to consider other targets such as Scott McKenna from Nottingham Forest or Michal Helik, who may want to stay in the Championship after being relegated with Huddersfield Town last season.
Stoke fans will appreciate the addition of defensive reinforcements, given the current weaknesses compared to previous seasons. While Gibson is a solid acquisition, he is over 30 and has a history of injuries. Wilmot has also struggled to regain his form after consecutive back and knee injuries last year. Therefore, a new defender would be a welcome addition for the Potters.