relegation

Mark Hughes’ ‘Real Coup’ Gamble Backfires as Stoke City Suffers Costly Eight-Figure Loss

11/11/2024 Raymond 0

Stoke City’s costly transfer of Kevin Wimmer in 2017 stands out as a defining misstep in their journey toward relegation from the Premier League. Acquired for a hefty £18 million from Tottenham Hotspur, Wimmer arrived with high expectations from manager Mark Hughes, who described the Austrian center-back as a “real coup” who would enhance Stoke’s defensive line. However, Wimmer struggled to meet these expectations, and by the season’s end, Stoke’s defense had faltered, contributing to their drop from the top flight. Following Hughes’ dismissal, Wimmer was further sidelined under new management, failing to make a first-team appearance as Stoke descended into the Championship. After multiple unsuccessful loan spells and a quiet departure in 2021, Wimmer’s time at Stoke became a painful reminder of the club’s ill-fated transfer decisions.

Sheffield Wednesday hope to avoid Birmingham City, Wayne Rooney repeat v Plymouth Argyle: View

07/08/2024 Raymond 0

Wayne Rooney made an unexpected return to management with Plymouth in May and will take charge of the Pilgrims for the first time on Sunday. Sheffield Wednesday, however, are determined not to allow him to secure his first win in his new role.

The Owls have struggled against teams managed by Rooney, including a painful relegation to League One after a 3-3 draw against his Derby County side at Pride Park in May 2021. This history could provide additional motivation for Wednesday this weekend. Plymouth narrowly avoided relegation on the final day of last season, and with doubts surrounding Rooney’s appointment, they are considered among the relegation favorites in the Championship this year. This scenario presents an excellent opportunity for Wednesday to start their season positively with a win against Argyle. Given the optimistic atmosphere at Hillsborough, Rohl’s team enters the game as strong favorites.

Nevertheless, the match won’t be easy, and Plymouth should not be underestimated. Still, the Owls will be disappointed with anything less than a victory.

Leicester City ready to pay £22m to sign ‘excellent’ player as Steve Cooper’s third signing

09/07/2024 Raymond 0

Currently, Leicester City’s wide options include Stephy Mavididi, Abdul Fatawu, and new signing Bobby De Cordova-Reid. Adding Matias Soule to the squad would provide crucial depth and competition for Mavididi and Fatawu, neither of whom have Premier League experience. Despite Frosinone’s relegation last season, Soule’s experience with a struggling team could be beneficial for Leicester. The 21-year-old managed an impressive season, showcasing his potential to make a significant impact in games with his flair and excitement, qualities that could change the course of a match.

New Leicester City manager Steve Cooper is focused on building a squad capable of maintaining their Premier League status. The summer began challenging for Leicester with the departures of manager Enzo Maresca and star player Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall to Chelsea. However, the compensation received—£10 million for Maresca and £30 million for Dewsbury-Hall—has helped the club meet the 30th June PSR deadline.

Former Stoke City and West Ham Star Available As Free Agent This Summer

26/06/2024 Raymond 0

Sead Haksabanovic, former winger for Stoke City and West Ham United, is expected to leave Celtic this summer following an unsuccessful loan spell at the Bet365 Stadium. The Montenegro international spent the 2023/24 season on loan with Stoke City, where he made only 22 appearances and scored a single goal. Reports from Swedish outlet Fotboll Direkt suggest that Stoke City is not interested in signing Haksabanovic permanently, and Celtic is seeking a fee of £2.2 million for him. With head coach Brendan Rodgers not seeing a future for Haksabanovic at Celtic, Swedish champions Malmo FF are reportedly nearing a deal to bring him back to Sweden. This potential move underscores Haksabanovic’s stagnation since his £2.7 million transfer to West Ham United in 2017.