Mark Robins explains Stoke City's Wouter Burger transfer call
Mark Robins says Wouter Burger is “a really important player” for Stoke City after the club turned down interest late in the January window.
Midfielder Burger, aged 23, has played in every game for Robins so far this year but FC Midtjylland tested Stoke’s resolve heading into deadline day. By that point, Stoke were adamant that they were not going to lose anyone as they try to pull up the Championship table – and Mark Robins has high expectations for Burger anyway.
Robins said: “We were looking at trying to do something on the incoming front and it didn’t quite manage to materialise but I’m pleased we didn’t lose anyone either. There was a potential to lose Wouter so I’m pleased he’s still here as well. I think he’s a really important player, a really good player and somebody I think can improve further.
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“For me, at that stage, it would have been really difficult to replace anybody in the squad and this is somebody that’s played since I’ve come in all the games I think. To lose anybody at that stage is difficult to replace, especially with the circumstances around injuries, injured players and their returns.
“We’ve got a group that I wanted to keep together to try to build momentum. If you’re breaking it up and bringing new people in all the time, it’s difficult. Also you’re looking at one day in the window when we brought in two during the window so that was important too.”
Burger joined Stoke from FC Basel in the summer of 2023 and has played regularly under all four bosses at Stoke. Robins has previously talked about seeing more to come from him too.
Robins said: “There’s a good player in there, 100 per cent there is. I think all the players, and we’re talking about Wouter specifically, has knuckled down and he’s working hard to try to improve as we go on a day to day basis. I’m pleased with what I’ve seen with Wouter so far.”
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