Stoke City were subject to a rather exciting transfer window this past Summer, but how have the new paid-for acquisitions performed so far this season?
The Bet365 Stadium was a hive of transfer activity over the Summer – well, on deadline day, at least. With the season now 11 games in, how are Stoke City’s new paid-for arrivals doing so far?
Much of Stoke City’s Summer dealings took place in the loan market. However, earlier on in the window, some cash was splashed to bring some more talent to the Potters.
A midfielder transformed
Joe Allen: 9/10
The Welshman moved from Liverpool to Stoke City towards the end of July. Arriving in plenty of time to be involved from day one, Allen set the Potters back a fee of around £13m.
Lack of playing time was reason number one for the move for the midfielder. While
featuring in a holding role under Brendan Rodgers, the arrival of Jurgen Klopp at Anfield somewhat stunted Allen’s playing time.
Allen, along with the rest of his new colleagues had a difficult start to the 2016/17 campaign.
Stoke claimed only one point from their first five matches. But the turnaround since has been largely due to the performances of Allen, in particular.
A goal in the home clash with West Brom got his season going. He followed this with strikes at Old Trafford, and then bagging a brace in the win over Sunderland.
His goals meant that he had scored as many goals for Stoke in 11 games as he did for Liverpool in 91.
Allen’s form hit it’s peak when Stoke City needed it to do so. The forward line was faltering, but Allen took matters into his own hands.
Being employed in much more advanced position on the pitch has enabled him to get on the ball a lot more and dictate the play.
Allen has been – and will continue to be – an integral part of Stoke City’s forward line this season.
Youthful exuberance
Ramadan Sobhi: 7.5/10
The young Egyptian arrived in Staffordshire on the same day as the aforementioned Allen.
Signing from his native club Ahly, Ramadan cost the club around £5m.
Players from Ramadan’s part of the world are, more often than not, unknown quantities until the arrive on our shores.
The six-foot speedster wasn’t exactly going to be penned into Mark Hughes’ starting XI in August. He certainly hasn’t done himself any harm since his move, though.
Since spending the early stages of this campaign in the development sides and reserve games, Ramadan has been in and around the first team.
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As it often goes in football, one’s loss is another’s gain. The injury to Xherdan Shaqiri and suspension of Marko Arnautovic paved the way for the number 32 to make his first Premier League start.
Ramadan had previously made three appearances off the bench. Each time showing his fearless attitude towards life in the English top-flight.
While Ramadan’s time in the spotlight has been limited thus far, he has taken any opportunity that has come his way.