Andy Robertson has revealed in a recent interview, that he nearly joined Stoke City after Hull City’s relegation before eventually joining Liverpool where has blossomed into one of the Premier League’s best left-backs under the tutelage of Jurgen Klopp. This piece of news will have left Stoke City fans dreaming about the fantasy of Robertson running down the left-flank and whipping in crosses.
After a spate of failed signings last season for Stoke, signing Robertson could’ve made a real difference both to Stoke’s Premier League season and the Scotsman career. With Robertson as left-back, Stoke would have had a left-back that was committed to the challenge but also very adventurous, a far cry to having Martins Indi at left-back who has played well in the last two to three matches but just lacks the attacking penetration, a natural full-back has. In an ageing Stoke City defence, Robertson would’ve certainly added pace and sharpness to the defence, something that was sorely needed last season. It is quite fascinating to imagine Robertson at Stoke, would’ve have stayed after Stoke had been relegated, his career trajectory would’ve certainly been a lot different to the current direction it’s going in.
It is a sign of the failure of those responsible for transfers at Stoke, namely Mark Cartwright and Tony Scholes, that they one player that could’ve made a massive difference to Stoke’s season they don’t sign rather they sign players that entered the Hall of Fame for transfer flops, the likes of Kevin Wimmer and Giannelli Imbula.
The paths of Andrew Robertson and Stoke City may not have met this time around, but who is to say it won’t in the not too distant future.