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How excited should Stoke City be about Joe Bursik?

By Matt Bernstein

PLYMOUTH, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 27: Josef Bursik of Doncaster Rovers looks dejected during the Sky Bet League One match between Plymouth Argyle and Doncaster Rovers at Home Park on October 27, 2020 in Plymouth, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
PLYMOUTH, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 27: Josef Bursik of Doncaster Rovers looks dejected during the Sky Bet League One match between Plymouth Argyle and Doncaster Rovers at Home Park on October 27, 2020 in Plymouth, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images) /
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How excited should Stoke City be about Joe Bursik?

Earlier in the week we learned that Joe Bursik will be in England’s U21 squad for the European Championship Qualifiers. Bursik will join Tottenham’s Brandon Austin and Sheffield Wednesday’s Aaron Ramsdale as the three selected U21 keepers for England.

This season, Bursik has been great at Doncaster as he’s started every match for the Rovers.

  • 10 Starts – 5 wins, 2 draws, 3 losses
  • 2 clean sheets
  • 11 goals allowed
  • 0.686 save percentage

Doncaster has been pretty stingy on defense this season, only letting up 35 shots on target, tied for 7th least in League One. That being said, when Bursik has been called on, he has been solid with a 0.686 save percentage which is just about average.

Being selected for England’s U21 squad is no small feat. Most of the squad is filled with Premier League talent and also features some high profile players, some just recently off of huge transfer deals. Even with Stoke’s long club history, the Potters have only fielded nine other players for the U21’s. Again, Bursik’s addition is no small feat.

Bursik has shown that positive progression that clubs love to see in their young players. In 2018-19 Bursik was loaned to AFC Telford, where he performed well enough to secure a position on loan at Accrington the following year. This season has been even better for Bursik as he continues to put Doncaster in favorable spot on the table and has since earned the U21 call-up.

Stoke should be very excited about Bursik’s development. With the looming exit of Butland this summer, Stoke will need a solid backup for Davies, assuming that Angus Gunn returns to Southampton. Stoke also seem willing to award players if they perform well in the League One. Look no further than Harry Souttar, and Jordan Thompson who were fixtures in League One last season and now occupy key roles for the Potters. Also looking to prove themselves in League One are Lasse Sorensen and Tom Edwards who are both out on loan this season and just add to the evidence that this is the testing ground for Stoke.

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