Stoke City are in the race to sign German fullback Robert Bauer and according to reports, the other two relegated sides, i.e, West Bromwich Albion and Swansea City are also in the running to sign Werder Bremen right-back. The Potters finished 19th on the table last term and they were disappointing, to say the least in the 2017-18 campaign. They ended up parting ways with Paul Lambert and now they have appointed Gary Rowett as their new gaffer. Rowett recently helped Derby County reach the playoff semifinals but they lost to the eventual winners, Fulham.
Stoke City had gone on to establish themselves as a regular Premier League side and not many would have touted them to get the drop last season. However, some poor showings on the pitch and some atrocious decision making in the transfer market have cost them their place in the First Division.
However, they will be looking to bounce back straightaway to the Premier League and they will be expected to fight for the direct qualification spot. They are going to require reinforcements to challenge for those two spots and Bauer will certainly be a good addition to their squad.
Bauer’s strength is his versatility as he can fill in anywhere across the backline and can play the role of a right wing back as well. The 20-year-old made 19 appearances last term for Werder Bremen and he was decent in his performances. He looks calm and composed on the ball and aggressive and sharp in his challenges. He even has an experience of representing Germany in the 2016 Rio Olympics where they won the silver medal.
However, the Potters will need to move in quickly for him as their major rivals Swansea and West Brom are also after his signature. Stoke signed Bauer’s namesake Moritz Bauer in the January transfer window and he has been regular and impressive in the right back spot. Robert Bauer will add more competitions for places and it might very well happen that he might be used in an advanced right midfielder role.
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The former u20 German international might be tempted to move where he will be a regular starter in his preferred position. He held himself in good stead at the top level in Germany and will certainly be a handful in the English second division if he decides to make a switch to England.
