To improve their performance next season, Stoke manager Schumacher needs to address the goalkeeping situation, which has been a weak point for the team. Throughout the current season, Stoke has rotated between four different goalkeepers, more than any other team in the league, without finding stability.
The quartet of Daniel Iversen, Jack Bonham, Mark Travers, and Tommy Simkin has collectively struggled, evident from their post-shot expected goals minus goals conceded statistic, which stands at -3.0 according to FBref.
This figure indicates that they have conceded three more goals than expected based on their performance. It’s worth noting that Stoke faced challenges early in the season when loanee Travers was recalled by Bournemouth due to injury issues, leaving Bonham and later January signing Iversen to fill the void.
In contrast, Johansson has delivered more consistent performances for Rotherham United, despite their struggles. His corresponding statistic stands at +1.1, indicating that he has conceded fewer goals than expected, showcasing his reliability compared to Stoke’s options.
| Viktor Johansson’s 2023/24 Championship Statistics (From FBREF) | |
| Matches Played | 43 |
| Save Percentage | 68.7% |
| Crosses Stopped Percentage | 7.9% |
| Goals Conceded | 85 |
The Swedish goalkeeper is a clear upgrade on any of Stoke’s current goalkeeping options, and his signing should be a priority in the summer transfer window.
Stoke spent and invested plenty last summer on new signings, and with Schumacher likely wanting to mould the squad in his own shape, Johansson could be the first of many through the door in the coming months.