Job security alive and well at Stoke City, rank 10th in Europe
By Jack Dudley
We’re all well aware of the current perception of loyalty in football. Does it even exist anymore? Manager sackings, player transfers, increase in money. Apparently it’s stable at Stoke City.
A recent study conducted by Swiss firm ‘Football Observatory’ has found Stoke City to be among the most reliable destinations for a player.
Of all the biggest leagues on the continent, Stoke City find themselves in 10th. But what does that mean, exactly?
Stoke City, Job Security
The study looked at the average length of time spent at a particular club by players.
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Interestingly, it was found that Potters players spent an average of 3.85 seasons at the club before moving on to pastures new.
The longest-serving player at the club is – rather fittingly – the captain Ryan Shawcross. The skipper started his service at Stoke City in 2007.
Next in line is Glenn Whelan, who joined in the following transfer window.
Others who remain from the Tony Pulis era are Jon Walters, Charlie Adam, Peter Crouch, Jack Butland and Geoff Cameron.
How do Stoke compare to the rest of Europe?
The most time-invested, and perhaps devoted players, belong to Spanish outfit Real Sociedad.
Playing staff spend an average of five seasons at the club. La Liga appears to be the place to go for job security…
Real Madrid, Barcelona, Villarreal, Athletic Bilbao and Las Palmas (joint-10th with Stoke) are all also in the top 10.
Juventus are the sole representatives from Italy, while Arsenal and Manchester United just pip the Potters to round off the list.
Outside of the big five UEFA leagues, it is CSKA Moscow that is the place to settle down.
The Russian side retain their players for a whopping 6.8 seasons on average. J-Sodra of Sweden and the Ukarine’s Shakhtar Donetsk complete the top three.
Marseille of France and Grenada of Spain prop up the rest with averages of 1.39 and 1.28 seasons, respectively.