Jack Butland, the Stoke City goalkeeper has come out in a staunch and critical assessment of his club’s season after the Potters were relegated last week. He has been particularly sceptical of the transfers that took place.
“There’s been transfers that aren’t even part of the squad for all kinds of reasons, whether it be discipline, whether it be lack of performance,” Butland said.
“You’ve got to look at that – what decisions are being made and the type of characters.”
He said midfielder Badou Ndiaye and defender Moritz Bauer, who joined in January, were “two positive signings”.
“But you look at others and they’re not even here to have an input. It’s not because they were playing at the top of their game, because if they were they’d be here,” he continued.
“Too many of the recent investments, and over the years, are completely unused and that’s unacceptable. So before anyone is signed and any changes happen that’s got to be looked at because it’s been farcical really.”
With Stoke now relegated, the Potters might lose a majority of their star players and will have to readjust their team accordingly. Here are three players they can target to improve their squad.
Andy Carroll
The former Newcastle United forward moved to West Ham United three years ago but has failed to live up to the potential that tipped him to become England’s number one striker. His height and physicality give him a natural advantage in air and in physical tussles in the box but the striker despite being talented has not been able to deliver for the Hammers.
He could be a lucrative yet easy to deal for Stoke City to complete with the player spending most of his time at West Ham on the bench.
Gareth Barry
West Brom are currently fighting the battle of the great escape although the victory looks unlikely. If the Baggies were to go down, they would also have to prepare for a reshuffle in their team owing to financial constraints.
Their veteran midfielder Gareth Barry, who holds the record for the highest number of appearances in England’s top flight could be a potential target to Stoke City who will need a player like Barry to shore up the midfield.
Willy Caballero
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This transfer will only be necessary if Jack Butland, who is in the form of his life opts to leave Stoke to play in the first division. Caballero is old but has plenty of experience and could be an excellent option for a club like Stoke.
