Inside Narcis Pelach’s Secret Transfer Playbook: ‘It’s Not Just About Money!

Narcis Pelach genuinely keeps a little black book of potential transfer targets and has revealed that players from leagues superior to the Championship are expressing interest in joining him at Stoke City. As he approaches his first transfer window as Stoke’s head coach this January, Pelach remains focused on six crucial fixtures before the market officially opens on New Year’s Day. Meanwhile, he has been actively collaborating with sporting director Jon Walters and the club’s recruitment team. Walters recently acknowledged that Pelach has introduced some exciting names into their discussions, having previously played a key role in transfers such as Borja Sainz’s move to Norwich. Sainz, a 23-year-old now leading the Championship scoring charts with 15 goals, was signed as a free agent from Turkish club Giresunspor. With the Financial Fair Play constraints in mind, Pelach sees the Spanish market as an appealing and cost-effective option for Stoke City. However, he insists that financial considerations won’t always determine success in the transfer market.

Pelach explained his passion for analyzing and evaluating players, a process he thoroughly enjoys. After each match, he and his staff meticulously rate their team’s players on a scale from zero to four, with two representing a standard performance, four an excellent one, and zero a poor showing. The evaluations, which allow for nuanced scores like 0.5 or 0.75, are part of a collaborative process to ensure fairness in team selection. Similarly, Pelach applies this detailed assessment method to players from other teams, a practice he has maintained for five years. His scouting efforts naturally include a wealth of knowledge about Spanish players, who often come at a lower cost than their British counterparts, offering Stoke a competitive edge.

Despite financial constraints, Pelach remains optimistic about securing quality signings. He emphasized that money isn’t the sole factor in attracting talent, as some players from higher leagues are eager to join Stoke City. Pelach is determined to engage these players and leverage creative strategies to bring them to the club, recognizing that financial rules pose challenges. “We must find innovative ways to improve the squad,” he stated, highlighting the need for resourcefulness in a market dominated by wealthier clubs.