Transfer status of every Stoke City player as January window deadline looms
It could be an interesting end to the January transfer window for Stoke City as deadline day looms into view.
Clubs have until 11pm on February 3 to complete their winter business and Stoke have signed Josh Wilson-Esbrand and Ali Al-Hamadi on loan from Manchester City and Ipswich Town respectively while Nathan Lowe and Lewis Baker have been recalled from their loans at Walsall and Blackburn Rovers. Tom Cannon has left, recalled by Leicester to be sold to Sheffield United.
Incomings and outgoings are possible at the bet365 Stadium in the coming days. Below, we look at the transfer status of every senior player currently in situ at Clayton Wood.
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Viktor Johansson: Runaway contender for player of the year and captain over the last few weeks while Ben Gibson has been on the sidelines. Stoke's biggest asset at the moment and seemingly destined to play in the Premier League at some stage. Only 26, loving life at the club and under contract until 2027.
Jack Bonham: Back to being a back-up keeper this season after being called upon pretty regularly since he joined from Gillingham. Out of contract in the summer but always namechecked as one of the good guys at the training ground.
Frank Fielding: Only one Stoke appearance so far, in the Carabao Cup at Carlisle in August, but the 36-year-old seen as an important figure behind the scenes, with almost a hybrid player-coach-mentor role. Out of contract in the summer.
Junior Tchamadeu: Has settled down again over the last few weeks as his role has been tweaked. Narcis Pelach had wanted him to slot in as an extra centre-back, Steven Schumacher had wanted him popping into central midfield but he's at his best as an old-fashioned right-back with licence to bluster down the wing.
Eric Bocat: Out probably until late February with a calf injury. Knew it might take him a little while to find his feet in a new country, even if hope and expectations were that he would hit the ground running, and he has shown glimpses of what he can offer going forward. Under contract until 2028.
Enda Stevens: Such an influential figure and if he could stay fit he probably wouldn't be slumming it in the bottom half of the Championship - or Stoke wouldn't be in the bottom half of the Championship, he is that much of a differential in this tight division. He's 34 now and out of contract in the summer but still one of the best players when he's available.
Ben Gibson: Signed as a free agent on a three-year deal in the summer as Stoke tried to bring in experience and a left-sided centre-back. Was a regular on the teamsheet until illness and injury over Christmas and the New Year, since when he has had to wait for his chance to come back in.
Ben WIlmot: One of the senior players at Stoke now and had been showing that centre-back was his best position in recent weeks next to Ashley Phillips - but let frustration get the better of him late on at Portsmouth. Soft tissue injury keeping him out now. Under contract until 2026.
Michael Rose: Out of contract in the summer but back in the starting XI yesterday. Played for Robins at Coventry, winning promotion to the Championship but leaving for Stoke. Robins said on Friday: “Rosey is a really good lad, a really good player and a rubbish person out of the team, which is a good thing. He doesn’t like being out of the team but he gets his head down and he works and that’s all you can ask from people. I don’t expect anyone to be delighted and do a jig when they’re out of the team but the way he’s conducted himself has been acceptable, he’s been good and he’s worked hard on the grass, waiting patiently for an opportunity – and he’ll get an opportunity.”
Ash Phillips: On a season-long loan from Spurs and has the potential to be a serious talent. Built like Virgil van Dijk but can and must become more dominant and work on keeping his concentration for the full 90-odd minutes.
Josh Wilson-Esbrand: Debut in mid-week after signing on loan from Man City for the rest of the season. Under contract there until 2027.
Jordan Thompson: Stoke's longest serving first teamer is out of contract in the summer and in the treatment room recovering from surgery to solve a groin injury.
Ben Pearson: Under contract until 2027 but hasn't started since April last year due to a hamstring injury that needed off-season surgery and then had a set-back in the autumn. Back in the squad yesterday and will step up again after another run out with the under-21s this week.
Wouter Burger: Former Netherlands under-21s midfielder is under contract until 2027 and is trying to find his form under another new manager. Still only 23 and has high ambitions in the game but still has to prove he can handle the rough and tumble of the Championship.
Andrew Moran: Finding his feet again under another new manager during his season-long loan from Brighton. Has been used as a deep midfielder on the right wing and as a number 10, which is probably where he has been at his most effective. Under contract at Brighton until 2028.
Sol Sidibe: A big hope for Stoke and had been hoping to get on the pitch more as this season went on but is instead in the treatment room with a back injury. Prized asset.
Bosun Lawal: Recovering from a back injury that was flagged when he signed from Celtic in the summer. There are clubs at the top end of League One who might try to tempt Stoke with a loan offer but Stoke would ideally want him and his power in their team as this season goes on.
Tatsuki Seko: A left-field signing from Japan on summer deadline day and has had to find his way under three different managers in his first six months in a new and very different country. Contracted until 2027.
Million Manhoef: One of Stoke's potential game changers and starring for Netherlands under-21s too so will be on plenty of radars. Out injured with a knee problem at the moment, however, and isn't scheduled back until March.
Bae Junho: A summer of speculation about potential interest after a strong end to last season but he stayed at Stoke, where he has looked like he hasn't been firing on all cylinders since a pre-season injury - and such a draining year of club and international slog. Under contract until 2027.
Lynden Gooch: A lively return to action yesterday and this time on the left wing, which highlights his versatility. Out of contract in the summer.
Andre Vidigal: A forgotten figure to a large extent but under contract until 2026. Turned down interest in the summer and nothing strong has emerged this month.
Lewis Baker: Summoned back from a loan at Blackburn and a regular starter now under Robins. Out of contract in the summer.
Lewis Koumas: Season-long loan from Liverpool. Enjoying the amount of action he's getting but Stoke will need more game-changing moments from him in the business end.
Niall Ennis: Under contract until 2026 but the arrival of Ali Al-Hamadi - and hopefully return of Sam Gallagher from injury - might allow Robins to let him out to play more regularly. Interest from Blackpool.
Sam Gallagher: Under contract until 2027 and with a mission to prove he can stay fit and available for far longer than he managed to date. Can make a big difference if only he can play. Currently recovering from hamstring injury.
Emre Tezgel: Out of contract in the summer but Stoke would be due compensation and would surely want to keep him. So highly rated as he has come through the academy but probably needs a Nathan Lowe-style loan to propel him to the next stage.
Nathan Lowe: A stellar loan has pushed Lowe right up the pecking order. Only 19 and under contract until 2028. Massive potential and Stoke know it.
Ali Al-Hamadi: Watched from the sidelines yesterday after joining on loan until the end of the season from Ipswich on Friday.
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