Stoke City are currently at 17th position in the Premier League with 18 games played. They have won just four league games this season and are just one point above the relegation zone. They have also won just one of their last six league games. The most recent of which saw Stoke get hammered 3-0 by West Ham. So, this would suggest Stoke look set to be in a relegation battle. Something many fans will not be happy about as their side generally finishes around mid-table.
However, there is some good news for Stoke fans as with the January transfer window fast approaching chairman Peter Coates has promised to spend big in order to secure their survival in the Premier League. With this in mind, here are three potential signings Stoke could make in the January transfer window.
Callum Chambers
Given their defensive woes, it is clear that one of Stoke’s main targets this January should be a centre back. One defender, they should look to sign is Arsenal’s, Callum Chambers. Chambers has been out of favour with Wenger this season. He has made just five appearances in all competitions this season, none of which have come in the league. Showing that Wenger clearly does not have any plans to use Chambers as a first team player in the near future. Therefore, even if Arsenal do not want to sell Chambers to Stoke, they would surely agree to loan him out for the rest of the season so he can get the first team football he needs.
While some fans may question if Chambers would be good enough to be a starter at Stoke, the answer is most likely yes. Granted he hasn’t proved it much this season. But in the 2016/17 Chambers spent the season on loan at Middlesbrough. And while Boro were relegated, their defence was one of the best outside the top six until Aitor Karanka was sacked. One of the biggest reasons for that was Callum Chambers who was arguably their best centre back that season. This shows Chambers can be a solid centre back for a side such as Stoke’s as long as he has a better attack in front of him than he did at Boro, which Stoke do.
Alfred Finnbogason
Stoke should also look to bring in a striker this window, who will be able to score goals for them on a regular basis. One player, they could look to sign is Alfred Finnbogason. The Icelandic striker who is currently playing in the Bundesliga for FC Augsburg. Finnbogason has played 16 league games for the German side this season. In those 16 games, he has bagged 11 goals and earned two assists. This makes him Augsburg’s top scorer and also one of the top scorers in the Bundesliga this season.
Therefore, given that Finnbogason is proving he can do it in a top league like the Bundesliga, Stoke should look to sign him in order to improve their striking options.
Fran Sol
The final player Stoke could look to sign is Fran Sol. Sol is currently playing in the Eredivisie so he may be a bit more of a risk than the above-mentioned players because the Dutch league is not filled with the same quality as the likes of the Premier League and the Bundesliga.
But that shouldn’t deter Stoke from taking a look at Sol. Sol is a striker who is currently playing for Willem II. He is also just 25 which means he could still improve in a few years time.
So far this season, Sol has played 18 games for Willem in all competitions. In those 18 games, he has scored 12 and assisted three. Compare this to both Crouch and Diouf who have played 18 league games for Stoke and scored just four each, Sol looks a considerably better player. Granted they are playing in different leagues. But even so, Sol looks to have a keen eye for goal which is something Stoke need right now.
