Squad Depth

2 bargain free transfers Stoke City could consider ft Lorenzo Rajot

10/08/2024 Raymond 0

Aaron Connolly is now available on a free transfer after Hull City chose not to renew his contract in May, and Stoke City should consider bringing him to the bet365 Stadium to strengthen their attack. With the Potters finishing as the sixth-lowest scorers in the Championship last season, additional firepower is essential, even after the arrival of Sam Gallagher. Connolly, at 24, offers more experience and proven ability than some of Stoke’s current options and could be a valuable short-term addition with the potential for a longer commitment if he performs well. His availability on a free transfer makes this a low-risk move that would allow Stoke to focus their budget on other areas of the squad.

Sheffield Wednesday appear set to end interest in forward target as complication now emerges

07/08/2024 Raymond 0

Sheffield Wednesday’s recent activities indicate that losing Jeremy Livolant isn’t a major setback for Danny Rohl’s squad, considering they’ve already signed Olaf Kobacki and Jamal Lowe. With a robust roster of wide players, the club arguably doesn’t need further reinforcements in that position.

Instead, priorities should shift toward acquiring a striker, a central midfielder, and a center-back, and they must act swiftly to secure these new signings before too many matches have been played. The potential return of Ike Ugbo is promising, but there’s been little discussion about reinforcing other areas of the pitch.

Rohl has expressed a desire for a new midfielder and defender, though he doesn’t seem to be in a rush. The coach must hope Nathaniel Chalobah and Barry Bannan remain fit, given the squad’s lack of depth, particularly since Chalobah only started seven games last season.

Abdallah Sima tips game-changing Rangers return following confirmed Brighton transfer move

04/07/2024 Raymond 0

Rangers may be on the verge of securing their most impactful signing of the summer, significantly boosting Philippe Clement’s transfer efforts. The Belgian manager has already brought in several promising young players to enhance the squad’s depth and added experienced goalkeeper Liam Kelly. Notable moves include those for Oscar Cortes and Connor Barron. However, the team’s attacking options remain limited, even with the anticipated addition of forward Hamza Igamane, who shows great potential.

The pursuit of Cyriel Dessers, a player who scored 22 goals last season, is heating up, as reported by Rangers Review on July 3. Meanwhile, there is widespread speculation that club captain and top scorer James Tavernier may leave Ibrox. This potential departure would significantly impact the team’s attacking capabilities from the previous season.

Stoke City injury blow as midfielder ruled out for four months

27/06/2024 Raymond 0

Ben Pearson, Stoke City’s 29-year-old midfielder, faces a four-month recovery period following surgery for a persistent hamstring injury. Initially hoping to avoid surgery, Pearson ultimately required the procedure, which will likely see him miss the first ten games of the season and all pre-season preparations. Pearson, who joined Stoke permanently last summer from Bournemouth for a fee under £500,000, had a challenging season plagued by injuries, limiting his league appearances to 22.

Steven Schumacher, expressing his frustration, noted that Pearson had been working with the club’s physios all summer, but an undiagnosed hamstring issue necessitated the surgery. Schumacher remains hopeful for Pearson’s recovery and emphasized the importance of focusing on rehabilitation. Despite Pearson’s absence, Stoke City boasts a robust midfield lineup, including Josh Laurent, Wouter Burger, and emerging talent Sol Sidibe. Recent signings like Viktor Johansson and Eric Bocat further strengthen the squad. Schumacher remains pragmatic, urging Pearson to concentrate on his rehab to ensure a strong comeback.

QPR concern not over despite £1m-a-year Stoke City deal: View

13/06/2024 Raymond 0

With two years remaining on his contract, securing him with QPR until the end of the 2025/26 season, it’s suggested that the club would demand a fee of £5-7 million for Jake Clarke-Salter’s services this summer. Despite Stoke City’s recent acquisition of center-back Ben Gibson, QPR should still be concerned about the Potters’ interest in Clarke-Salter.

Given the rigors of a full season, it would be a significant challenge for any club to manage with just three center-backs. Stoke often plays with two center-backs, leaving them with only one player to cover both positions. Considering the likelihood of injuries and suspensions throughout the season, this situation would put them at a high risk of selection issues. Hence, it would be prudent for the club to bring in another central defender to alleviate the pressure on their current options, providing more flexibility for rotation and reducing the risk of unwanted absences.

Leeds United’s interest in 20-y/o Chelsea ace makes total sense for one reason – View

02/06/2024 Raymond 0

Leeds United have shown interest in signing Chelsea right-back Alfie Gilchrist on loan this summer, joining Preston and Blackburn in the pursuit. After missing out on promotion, Leeds faces another summer of extensive transfer activity, needing to rebuild their squad once more. Journalist Ben Jacobs recently revealed that Leeds is one of three clubs closely monitoring Chelsea’s 20-year-old right-back Alfie Gilchrist. Despite breaking into Chelsea’s senior team this season, Gilchrist is expected to go out on loan this summer to gain more first-team experience.