Steven Schumacher and Jon Walters put big stamp on Stoke with transfer checklist (2024)

Stoke had a few targets when they set out at the start of the summer transfer window.

A goalkeeper of their own, a left-back to be genuine competition to Enda Stevens, an experienced centre-half, a reworked midfield department and a revamped attack led by the signing of a quick number nine.

Gradually, Jon Walters, in his first window as sporting director, has been ticking them off, with Steven Schumacher getting through hundreds of Zoom calls trying to sell Stoke as the club to be at for up and coming talents.

RECAP: How deadline day unravelled at Stoke City

READ MORE: How Tom Cannon fits into Steven Schumacher squad

Ten signings in all, with late departures also important to keep a handle on a squad which was just too big last season. There needs to be a pathway for a group of teenagers bursting onto the first team scene, currently led by Sol Sidibe, Emre Tezgel and Jaden Dixon.

In fact it is a young changing room all round now, with Ben Gibson - that experienced centre-half - and Enda Stevens the only players in their 30s (as well as back-up keeper Frank Fielding).

There are four loanees but through each department there are Stoke players in the right halves of their careers, seemingly and hopefully on their way up.

There will be some who have good and bad days and will need to be well coached but it is exciting that the front department is packed with pace and skill.

That win on Tuesday night was against a below-par and much-changed Middlesbrough side but Stoke played with freedom, no fear and as a collective. That is the way Schumacher wants to play week in, week out. Hopefully he has the changing room now to take a big step towards that over the next few weeks and months.

Stoke City squad

GK : Viktor Johansson, Jack Bonham, Frank Fielding

RB: Junior Tchamadeu

LB: Eric Bocat, Enda Stevens

CB: Ben Gibson, Ben Wilmot, Ash Phillips, Michael Rose, Jaden Dixon, Freddie Anderson

CM : Wouter Burger, Andrew Moran, Sol Sidibe, Bosun Lawal, Tatsuki Seko, Jordan Thompson, Ben Pearson

RW: Million Manhoef

LW: Bae Junho, Lynden Gooch, Andre Vidigal, Lewis Koumas

CF: Tom Cannon, Niall Ennis, Ryan Mmaee, Sam Gallagher, Emre Tezgel

Good window? Click HERE to join in the debate

Story Saved

You can find this story in My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.