Stoke City
Stoke City’s summer transfer window
We looked at what Stoke City’s ideal start to the summer transfer window could……..
Stoke City’s excellent Championship season finale—finishing 17th in the standings—saved them from relegation.
The team’s form turned dramatically, thanks in part to new acquisitions and a coaching change, and the Potters were safe.
Jake Clarke-Salter has been mentioned as Stoke’s top target for the squad as they look to add more players during the current transfer window.
Stoke City had a fantastic season finale as they were guaranteed a spot in the Championship.
After a massive summer transfer window, there was a lot of optimism at the bet365 Stadium going into the season. However, the Potters struggled early on and Alex Neil was fired in December.
To replace Neil, Steven Schumacher moved from Plymouth Argyle, but the 39-year-old first found it difficult to turn around the team’s fortunes and they were forced into a relegation scrap.
But Stoke managed to secure their safety, finishing 17th in the standings, thanks to a run of just one loss in eight games, which included three straight wins in their previous three games.
The Potters will be itching for a far better season the next year, and technical director Jon Walters and coach Schumacher have a busy summer ahead of them as they try to revamp the team and transform the club’s ethos.
In light of this, we examined the ideal beginning for Stoke City during the summer transfer window.
Now that the season is over, speculation is starting to pick up steam, and one player that has been connected to Stoke is defender Jake Clarke-Salter of Queens Park Rangers.
Journalist John Percy claims that Clarke-Salter is “a top summer target” for the Potters, and signing him may cost them anything from £5-7 million.
In June 2022, Clarke-Salter moved from Chelsea to QPR, and under Marti Cifuentes, he was instrumental in the R’s Championship survival this year.
The Hoops’ remarkable play in the second half of the season—they had only four losses in their previous 19 league games—was mostly due to their defensive steadiness, and Clarke-Salter was a constant presence in that stretch.
Over the course of the season, Clarke-Salter made 33 appearances for the R’s, recording one goal, one assist, and 10 clean sheets.
It’s easy to see why Clarke-Salter has drawn attention from Stoke, and Schumacher will need to bolster his center-back position when Luke McNally returns to Burnley at the conclusion of his loan.
This summer, Clarke-Salter will have plenty of suitors. Crystal Palace, Burnley, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Ipswich Town, and Celtic are all rumoured to be interested in signing him. Stoke may have to deal with his valuation, but he would be a statement addition as the Potters attempt to usher in a new era at the club.
Eric Boat, a player from Sint-Truiden, is of interest to Stoke City, according to a Stoke on Trent Live article.
After a very dismal performance the previous year, Stoke City will be looking to improve in the 2024–2025 season.
With a late surge in form, Steven Schumacher was eventually able to guide the Potters to safety. But given the amount of money invested at the Bet365 Stadium, it was yet another disappointing season for the team, which is still having trouble in the Championship.
It will be hoped that they can finally begin to loom a little higher up the second-tier table with a few more new players and a successful pre-season. A fresh transfer link has just surfaced.
According to a report from Stoke on Trent Live, Eric Bocat, who is presently signed to Belgian Jupiler Pro League team Sint-Truiden, is a target for Stoke City.
The 24-year-old plays as a full-back or wing-back; his contract expires in 2025. From then, he saw action in 38 games last season, tallying two goals and four assists.
Something to strengthen?
The left side isn’t necessarily one that has to be strengthened badly this summer, especially with Enda Stevens sticking put. Despite his occasional limited involvement due to injury, he can still be a good option there.
Therefore, it could be best to move someone else to play left wing-back or left back. Bocat, who also brings pace and attacking drive, will provide Stoke City with a younger, more long-term option.
Schumacher will have tactical flexibility because of his ability to play almost anywhere up the left, and since he only has a year left on his contract, Sint-Truiden might be tempted to take advantage of Bocat while they can.
Though they may regard him as a viable alternative, it remains to be seen if the Potters solidify their interest with a tangible move.
The difficulties Stoke City has faced recently have been widely reported. After a massive reconstruction last summer, there was hope that they would finally start making some much-needed progress.
But things hit a new low, and for a long while, the club appeared to be in fairly bad shape.
Schumacher will be motivated to be the one to put an end to this declining trend because he has never finished in the top half since leaving the Premier League. Bocat’s signing will help him in his attempt to do so as he looks to have an impact during his first summer transfer window with the team.
Even though the window didn’t formally open until Friday, the Potters have already achieved progress. Viktor Johansson left Rotherham United to join on a free transfer.
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