Stoke City has signed 23 first-team players in the last two transfer windows, yet they have nevertheless had another poor season in the Championship.
Since June of last year, the Potters have made significant player acquisitions, and the additions to the team have been uneven in terms of quality and contribution.Transfer policy had a complete overhaul last summer when Jared Dublin became Head of Recruitment, emphasising the acquisition of players from throughout Europe and beyond in addition to a greater number of younger players with great promise in a low-risk, high-reward approach.
Wouter Burger, Jun-Ho Bae, and Million Manhoef—acquired from Basel, Daejon Citizen, and Vitesse, respectively—have all settled in nicely to life in English football. Bae, in particular, has won over the hearts of Stoke supporters with his performances.
Failed players include Chiquinho, a summer loan signing from Wolves who made just four appearances before going back to his parent club following a falling out with then-manager Alex Neil. Tyrese Campbell, Jordan Thompson, and other important loan players Daniel Iversen, Ki-Jana Hoever, and Luke McNally will return to their respective parent clubs this summer, and Steven Schumacher still has decisions to make on their contract extensions.
This summer’s hiring will probably be more meticulous, prioritising quality over number as the team attempts to move up the division at last.
Viktor Johansson
Here, we look at three players that Potters supporters would love to see their team sign this summer yet are still realistically priced.
With Iversen expected to return to Leicester City and Jack Bonham not regarded as Steven Schumacher’s top choice, Stoke will need to acquire a first-choice custodian this summer. Following injuries to Darren Randolph and first-choice ‘keeper Neto, Irish international Mark Travers was called up by Bournemouth in October after starting the season as City’s primary ‘keeper and recording three clean sheets in 17 appearances.
Iversen was then signed during the January transfer window, and despite a poor start, he has now shown his worth in between the Stoke sticks, recording five clean sheets in his 16 games played.
Transfermarkt presently values the Dane at €3,000,000, but if the price were higher, Stoke would probably search elsewhere for a better offer. Although he was unable to stop Rotherham United from being relegated to League One this season, Johansson has been the team’s starting custodian for the past two seasons and has impressed both supporters and outside observers with his performances.
The Swedish international, who was named Player of the Year at the New York Stadium after an incredible 2022–2023 season, has maintained five clean sheets so far this season.
Harry Souttar
The 25-year-old is apparently attracting interest from Stoke, and he would be a great addition to the Potters in a crucial role because Johansson has the ability to be the team’s best player for many years to come. Alan Nixon also said that his services would be available at a cut-price of £1,000,000, thus the club might really be serious about pursuing this.
Stoke supporters will recognise 6′ 7″ Souttar, who left the bet365 Stadium amicably 13 months ago after spending six years in the Potteries and signing a £15,000,000 contract with Leicester City in the wake of an incredible World Cup performance with Australia.
After moving from Dundee United to the Potters in 2016, the centre back made 70 first-team appearances and scored twice. Despite being born in Scotland, he was called up to the Australia national team in 2019 because of his exceptional club play. His aerial skill has allowed him to score 11 goals in 29 games for his country.
Although Souttar’s impressive 2022 World Cup campaign encouraged the Foxes to sign him in January of last year, things have not gone as planned for him at King Power Stadium thus far.
He made 12 appearances in 2022–2023 as the team was demoted from the Premier League; however, following the arrival of new manager Enzo Maresca, he has only made four appearances and started just two games this season. In order to shorten his unhappy stay with the former Premier League champions, Souttar would want to hunt for a quick departure as the Foxes are expected to swiftly off their outcasts in preparation for promotion.
Stoke may be among several teams bidding for the 25-year-old’s signature when he becomes up for sale, but they will know that they hold the sentimental value for Souttar over any other team.
Steven Schumacher is certainly going to be in the market for a centre-back, with Michael Rose and Ben Wilmot the only in-contract players in that position to have made first-team appearances for the club.
Whilst mainly used at the centre of a five-at-the-back at Stoke, Souttar has demonstrated his ability to play in a back four at international level and in the Premier League with Leicester.
It is believed that both Leeds United and Sheffield United enquired about his availability in the January window, but Leicester were unwilling to let him go at that point.
He is not set to come cheap this summer, however, with his contract running until 2028 and the Foxes likely wanting to recoup some of the big fee they paid Stoke just over a year ago.
Burrows has emerged as one of the brightest young full-backs in the EFL over the last three seasons at Peterborough United.
Still only 22, the left-back has shone in both the Championship and League One and is likely to have a long list of second-tier suitors this summer.
He has notched 12 goals and 15 assists in 55 games in all competitions this season, a brilliant return for Darren Ferguson’s side from defence.
Harrison Burrows
He scored two late goals as the Posh lifted the EFL Trophy in a 2-1 win over Wycombe Wanderers earlier this month, the second an outstanding long-range effort to secure the cup at Wembley.
Chairman Darragh McAnthony revealed that the club had turned down a bid from a top-six Championship club in January, so the race will certainly be on for his signature this summer.
The Potters are in desperate need for a left-back, with the sale of Josh Tymon to Swansea last summer leaving new recruit Enda Stevens as the only experienced option in that position.
33-year-old Stevens has had an injury-hit debut campaign and is out-of-contract in the summer, featuring just 19 times and leaving midfielder Jordan Thompson, right-back Ki-Jana Hoever and utility man Lynden Gooch to cover throughout the season.
Schumacher will be in the market for a player like Burrows, and Stoke are no strangers to picking up a promising EFL full-back after signing 2022/23 League Two Young Player of the Year Junior Tchamadeu from Colchester United last summer.
Burrows’ attacking nature certainly suits the free-flowing, forward-thinking play that Schumacher wants to instill in his Stoke team, and he would signify a big statement of intent if the club could bring him in this summer.
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