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Potential return to Stoke City for winger Oussama Assaidi?

By Jack Dudley

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 02: Oussama Assaidi of Stoke City competes with Antonio Valencia of Manchester United during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Stoke City at Old Trafford on December 2, 2014 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 02: Oussama Assaidi of Stoke City competes with Antonio Valencia of Manchester United during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Stoke City at Old Trafford on December 2, 2014 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) /
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You remember him, right? Tricky, influential winger who just seemed to disappear? Well he’s back on the Potters radar – potentially.

The Moroccan winger has had two previous spells at Stoke City. Both on loan, both from Liverpool.

Assaidi’s first run at Stoke City came at the beginning of the 2013/14 season, surplus to requirements at Anfield.

After reportedly having options on where to go, Assaidi revealed his decision was swung by Mark Hughes.

Did Assaidi have an impact at Stoke City?

It’s not unheard of to see a young player burst onto the scene, only to leave it and disappear just as quick.

Liverpool were obviously keen to hang onto the youngster at the time and saw something special in him, so did Stoke benefit from taking him on loan?

During his first loan period, Assaidi made 19 appearances in the league, scoring four goals. That same campaign, he earned the club’s goal of the season.

The Moroccan scored his first goal for the Potters in a Leauge Cup game with Birmingham City. He then scored the winner in a 3-2 victory over Chelsea, curling a memorable effort into the top corner.

In the second half of the same season, Assaidi picked up an injury at the club’s training camp in Dubai. Upon his return, he scored a goal in a 4-1 win over Fulham.

Mark Hughes made it very clear he was happy to sign Assaidi on a permanent basis, but was angered by the asking price Liverpool placed on him and the discussions fell through.

Second spell not so effective

Assaidi returned to Stoke City for the 2014/15 season, again on loan.

This time around though, he made only nine appearances for the Potters and didn’t manage to hit the net.

The contrast in the two separate spells was enough for the deal to be cut-off and Assaidi was recalled by Liverpool.

It was a short-lived return, though, as he was sold for a fee of just under £5m, to UAE side Al-Ahli Dubai.

Making a total of 14 appearances for the Arabic side, scoring three times. His contract was eventually terminated after admitting he only signed for the money.

Now a free agent, would it be third-time lucky for Stoke City should they bring him back to the Bet365 Stadium?

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