Over the last 10 years, Stoke have had the luxury of signing some of the most exciting players in Europe. From the front 3 of Arnautovic, Bojan and Shaqiri, to ex-England striker Peter Crouch. With that in mind, why don’t we make an XI from some of the better players Stoke missed out on throughout this period?
Goalkeeper – Joe Hart
Age at time of link: 32
One of the more recently linked players, ex-England number 1 Joe Hart was reportedly the goalkeeper Stoke City were prepared to turn to in the summer of 2019 , that was if current number one at the time Jack Butland was to leave the club. The move never materialised with Butland remaining at Stoke and Adam Davies was instead signed by Nathan Jones. Since then Davies has gone on to be the number 1 at Stoke, Jack Butland left Stoke a year later in the summer of 2020 and is now second choice at Premier League outfit Crystal Palace and Joe Hart is now at Tottenham Hotspur as a second pair of gloves.
Right Back – Sergi Roberto
Age at time of link: 22
Back in 2014, Stoke had an itch for current and former Barcelona starlets, having signed former Bojan the same summer and fan-favourite to this day Marc Muniesa the summer before, Roberto was reportedly keen on a move to Staffordshire to join the 2 Spaniards. He even flew into England to discuss terms with the Potters according to the Mirror, emphasising how close the deal was to being done. For one reason or another, the deal never happened and Roberto has gone onto have a decent career at Barcelona, even scoring the winner in a memorable comeback against PSG in the Champions League, although he was a midfielder at the time, he has now become an accomplished right-back, but if we base it on what position he was playing back in 2014, Stoke ended up bringing in Steve Sidwell on a free from Fulham instead of Roberto.
Centre Back – Virgil Van Dijk (C)
Age at time of link: 25
Ouch, this one really hurts to see, in the summer of 2015, the same summer Stoke signed Swiss-star Xherdan Shaqiri, Mark Hughes was also reportedly interested in bringing commanding centre-back Virgil Van Dijk to the Bet365 Stadium. Virgil Van Dijk eventually signed for Southampton in the same summer for £13 million. Southampton made a profit of £62 million only 2 and a half years later when Van Dijk signed for Liverpool, making Stoke’s failure to capture the Dutchman all the more painful to see. He has since gone onto be Liverpool’s star defender, winning the Premier League and Champions league with the reds, alongside the personal accolade of the UEFA best player in Europe award, Stoke would instead go on to sign German central defender Phillip Wollschied instead. Biggest missed transfer ever from Stoke?
Centre Back – Victor Lindelöf
Age at time of link: 17
Another one that, with the benefit of hindsight, wasn’t Stoke City’s best transfer decision to say the least. The Potters were reportedly offered the chance to sign a 17-year-old Victor Lindelöf for a fee in the region of £260,000 back in 2012, this would’ve turned out to be a bargain for Stoke as since then the Swede has gone on to sign for Manchester Utd for a large fee after impressing at Benfica. Since joining the Red Devils Lindelöf has secured a spot as a first-team regular next to England international Harry Maguire, Stoke instead signed reliable, utility man Geoff Cameron that summer.
Left Back – Andy Robertson
Age at time of link: 23
Yet another missed transfer opportunity that now plays a key role in Liverpool’s defence, Andy Robertson himself has confirmed that he nearly signed for Stoke back in the summer of 2017, the same summer he joined the reds. A reliable, tough defender, who is comfortable at the other end of the pitch as well, would’ve ended up solving a problem position for Stoke that wouldn’t be solved until 2020 when Morgan Fox arrived. However, it wasn’t to be and the Scottish international is now an established and crucial part of a Liverpool team that has gone onto win a Champions League and a Premier League, Meanwhile Stoke signed youngster Josh Tymon from Hull who has gone on to be a quality utility man for Stoke in the Championship. I think Andy made the right choice on this occasion.
Holding Midfielder – Axel Witsel
Age at time of link: 27
Linked with Stoke back in 2017, Stoke were so determined to sign Witsel, the Potters were even willing to offer Bojan as a trade for Witsel. This didn’t happen unfortunately and Witsel went on to sign for Dortmund from Zenit , a club he has been at ever since and played a key role in their success. Cutting out counterattacks and helping Dortmund transition into attacks of their own, the exact role he would play in this hypothetical Stoke City side. Stoke instead signed Joe Allen in 2016, who has gone on to be a fine servant to the club but is now rumoured to be departing this summer.
Attacking Midfielder - Ronaldinho
Age at time of link: 34
Going way back to the summer of 2014 once again, by far the biggest name on this list comes into the hypothetical midfield as the oldest player in the team at 34-years of age (at the time). Now yes, Ronaldinho was undeniably past his best by this point, but I believe in this side he would still offer a lot, especially with the legs around him. Ronaldinho has won it all, so he would bring that winning mentality and a long, successful career at Barcelona is certainly nothing to scoff at. His creativity would be crucial to the goals the side scored.
Attacking Midfield - Jack Grealish
Age at time of link: 20
Another one in the XI who’s now valued at a fee of around £100 Million, Stoke could’ve picked up Jack Grealish for a minimal fee back in 2016, with Grealish out-of-favour at the Villains after they were relegated the same year. Now, in 2021, Grealish is Aston Villa captain, star-man and is now an England international, another big miss by Stoke. Grealish is arguably England’s most naturally gifted player right now, excluding Manchester City’s Phil Foden, creating chances, getting past players, dribbling, scoring all types of goals, there’s not many limits as to what Grealish can do with a football. Stoke instead signed Egyptian winger Ramadan Sobhi in the summer of 2016, who has since ended up back in Egypt with Pyramids FC.
Right-Winger – Martin Odegaard
Age at time of link: 20
The most recently linked player in this XI, Talented playmaker, Martin Odegaard was heavily backed by the Sentinel for a move to Stoke City AFTER they were relegated in 2018, albeit only on loan. A creative, clever, and quick-footed footballer, Odegaard has since played for Arsenal on loan this season, where he has impressed, providing a creative spark for Arsenal of which they lacked before his arrival. Stoke instead signed the son of former Manchester Utd midfielder Paul Ince, Tom for a fee of around £10 million, who has spent half the season out on loan at Luton.
Left-Winger – Christian Pulisic
Age at time of link: 17
Are you starting to get the urge to scream into a pillow yet? I certainly am! In 2016, Stoke reportedly made a £20 million bid for Pacey American winger, Christian Pulisic. If only the Potters had dug a little bit deeper into their pockets as only a few years later Pulisic is likely to start in a Champions League final for Chelsea in a few weeks’ time at just 22-years of age. With plenty of pace, the ability to take it past his man and decent finishing, Pulisic is everything you want from a winger and more. Its just a shame he opted to stay at Dortmund, Stoke instead signed Sobhi.
Striker – Lautaro Martinez
Age at time of link: 18
Another stinger in hindsight, the Potters reportedly flew a scout out to Argentina 4 times in an attempt to sign wonderkid Lautaro Martinez. Since then Martinez has established himself as one of the most exciting forwards to watch in Europe and now applies his trade at Inter Milan, where he has helped them to the Serie A title, scoring 16 goals and picking up 8 assists in 35 Serie A appearances this season. Martinez now has both Real Madrid and Barcelona drooling over his signature, with Inter Milan smacking a colossal, reported fee of £70 Million over the 23-year-olds head. He leads the line in this hypothetical XI, pretty much guaranteeing goals. Stoke ended up with Wilfred Bony on loan instead.
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