FFP rules take a hammering as Tom Cannon moves on and Stoke City are left wondering 'what if...'
Tom Cannon is back at Leicester City, his Stoke City loan ended and his 11 goals now no more than a memory to spark warm feelings during what threatens to be a decidedly chilly second half of the season for Mark Robins and Co, and the focus of “what if” recriminations from some Potters fans.
For others, a player now tipped to make a £13m move to one of the Championship big-hitters has been condemned as over-priced, not good enough or simply doomed to struggle.
But for most, the thought that financial fair play rules meant Stoke City were never in with a chance of signing Cannon themselves is hard to swallow.
READ MORE: Stoke City handed transfer advice as 'sensible' Tom Cannon replacement named
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We have taken a look at a few of the comments accompanying news of Cannon’s return to the King Power Stadium…
Keith Dale: I don't think any player at this level is worth £13m. However if that player gets you promoted or keeps you in the division then what is he wort? Are they bringing Lowe back to start games or loan him in League One? If the latter then we have no goal threat which could result in relegation, so then £13m is justified. Sunderland and Sheffield United are ambitious hence the bidding. We are the other hand, with the current owners, are happy in the lower reaches of the Championship. Robins has a tough job because the owners are not ambitious enough.
Red & white stripes: We should be buying Cannon, this is ridiculous unless we are prevented from spending due to the unequal spending rules.
Reg51: Another bad decision by the club. They don't know a good thing when they see it. They should have put up a fight to show the fans that they are doing the best for the club.
Stpotter78: Good player but wouldn’t pay more than 5 mill - pushing it that is as well.
Seasonticket2023: Ordinary player worth nothing like £13m. I'm really pleased we haven't wasted money on him.
Stripey47: It's high time to put the Tom Cannon saga to bed and get behind the talented players we have all champing at the bit to represent Stoke City at the Hawthorns. West Brom won't know what has hit them when Robins unleashes 'Lower League Lowe', 'Baggies Killer Koumas', 'Long Range Bomber Baker' and the rest of the Mighty Potters. Onwards and Upwards...
Tunstallboy: I don't think he was getting the right service at Stoke. He ran around a lot and made openings but the service wasn't very good. I know he scored a few goals but they mainly came from the penalty spot. I think the Premiership might be a bit too much for him and I think he might struggle a bit, like Harry Souter did at Leicester. I hope he does well and wish him all the best.
TonyPB: Thanks very much, Leicester. I wanted them to survive this season but now I hope they get relegated. If they were so hard up why didn’t they sell him in August? With Sam Gallagher permanently injured a lot will fall on Lowe. I just hope, if he is not as prolific as he was for Walsall, that the fans don’t get on his back.
Greenhoffvolley: Thirteen million? No wonder we can’t compete. FFP has a lot to answer for. Good luck Cannon lad, I hope you go on to great things. You certainly did it for us.
61SCFC: Wish him well but I can’t see him playing higher than top end Championship where he probably will score goals, or bottom end Premier league where he probably won’t.
Nickcartwright: No way is he worth £13m. Transfer market has gone mad. Ipswich have just paid £20m for Philogene, who didn’t exactly rip up any trees on loan with us.
JPB123: If he scores the goals that win promotion and PL riches he is worth the money. And he will surely have a decent re-sale value whatever happens, due to his age. Stoke's problem was buying players at the top of their value, which was an FFP disaster.
