As Stoke City’s January transfer window reaches its halfway point, Steven Schumacher, Ricky Martin, and Jared Dublin have a lot to consider.
Three days and two games have served as a microcosm of Stoke City’s current transfer dilemmas.
On the one hand, there is a healthier-looking first team roster, a less crowded treatment room, and Lewis Baker, who came out of the cold to score a superb free-kick winner against Rotherham. Subsequently, the under-21 team defeated Manchester City 5-1 yesterday night, thanks in large part to a hat-trick from Nathan Lowe, useful minutes from Ben Wilmot and Tyrese Campbell, and goals from Sol Sidibe and Emre Tezgel.
Regarding what already lurks on Steven Schumacher’s lengthy roster of players available for the second half of the season, both have been helpful reminders. About eighteen months after coming from Leeds United, Liam McCarron also made his senior FA Cup debut, scoring against Man City. Enda Stevens is back in the running for the first time under the new head coach, while D’Margio Wright-Phillips will receive his first opportunity to make an impression after rejoining the team.
It has been made apparent that while certain players who were marginalized during the previous administration may not immediately step up to the plate, they do have the chance to do so. They decide what to do next.
There is a fine line between the urgency of business and determining exactly what Schumacher needs to add with little over two weeks left in the January transfer window. The rumor that Stoke needed five or six new players at the beginning of the month has been quieted since the team’s winning streak has already reached seven games. On Saturday, Stoke will play Birmingham City at home.
1) Can Stoke City’s current goal-scoring options propel them up the table in the next four months? This raises questions about the potential loan moves for Lowe and Tezgel, the necessity of Tezgel gaining more experience with the 21s, and whether they are prepared to surpass Dwight Gayle and Wesley in the first team hierarchy.
2) Is it feasible to depend on Stevens consistently, and if not, is there a need for a new primary left-back? Jordan Thompson has presented a compelling case in recent weeks, and with Gooch returning as cover, Hoever having played in that position, and McCarron aspiring to prove his worth, the left-back situation becomes intricate.
3) Does the current squad possess the attributes to execute the style preferred by Schumacher? The addition of Luke Cundle to the midfield indicates an emphasis on one and two-touch football to enhance the team’s tempo. However, there remains a question of whether similar qualities are required in the forward department.
At this point in the transfer window, Stoke City requires impactful additions rather than mere fillers. Any new signings should possess star quality capable of elevating the starting XI. With potential reinforcements, it is crucial to exercise patience for the right additions, making the anticipation for further business exciting.
STOKE CITY SQUAD CONFIGURATION:
GOALKEEPER: Daniel Iversen, Jack Bonham, Tommy Simkin (on loan at Forest Green Rovers), Frank Fielding, Blondy Nna Noukeu
RIGHT-BACK: Ki-Jana Hoever, Lynden Gooch, Junior Tchamadeu, Jaden Dixon, Tom Edwards (on loan at Huddersfield Town)
LEFT-BACK: Enda Stevens, Liam McCarron
CENTRE-HALF: Michael Rose, Ben Wilmot, Luke McNally, Ciaran Clark, Matty Baker (on loan at Newport County), David Okagbue (on loan at Walsall)
CENTRAL MIDFIELD: Wouter Burger, Luke Cundle, Lewis Baker, Josh Laurent, Daniel Johnson, Ben Pearson, Jordan Thompson, Sol Sidibe, Tom Sparrow
NUMBER 10: Bae Junho, D’Margio Wright-Phillips, Jack Griffiths
