Stoke City are on the hunt for a centre back this summer and it’s not hard to see why.After some shocking defensive displays towards the end of last season, the Potters were left in an underwhelming ninth place despite briefly threatening to compete for the European spots.
As Dean Jones reported, Stoke are desperate to sign a new central defender before the summer is out. The struggles with injury for Ryan Shawcross have left Phillip Wollscheid often as the senior centre-back and, although the German has impressed, his partners have often made crucial mistakes defensively that have cost Mark Hughes’ side dearly.
Stoke have a long way to go if they are to become regular challengers in the top eight, but this summer is an opportunity to really backup their recent transfer coups of Imbula and Shaqiri.
The club is unquestionably on the up and this could be a massive summer for them…
Michael Keane
Handily meeting the requirements of being both British and a centre-back, Michael Keane would be an extremely good signing for Stoke City.
Since joining Burnley back in 2014, Keane has been a rock for Dyche’s side in the heart of their defence.
His physical strength would just add to the demonstrative power of Wollscheid and Shawcross, whilst his age means that he is only going to improve over the coming seasons.
Phil Jones
With many players set to leave Manchester United this summer, players like Phil Jones could be on the lookout for a new club.
The former Blackburn defender is in desperate need of finding both fitness and a club that will give him regular football in a set position.
His versatility has seen him become somewhat a jack of all trades and a move to Stoke may help him to focus his game as a central defender if he could retain some fitness.
Hughes may also be tempted in to the deal by his versatility, with Jones able to cover for either of Whelan or Johnson.
Gary Cahill
Antonio Conte is destined to sign at least one centre-back for Chelsea this summer and that could see Gary Cahill shunted out of the door at Stamford Bridge.
Despite beginning his Chelsea career brilliantly, Cahill’s last year or so of football has been seriously disappointing. A poor Euros capped a very underwhelming season with Chelsea and the former Villain might be looking for a move this summer.
His experience might just do the Stoke defence some good, too.
Joel Veltman
Only one player made more tackles per match than Joel Veltman last season and the 24-year old Ajax central defender had a superb campaign.
Equally capable of filling in at right-back Veltman would be a great addition to the Stoke squad and provide depth across the defence.
Although Dean Jones said that Stoke preferred to move for a British player, signing a player of Veltman’s calibre would surely be a priority.
Francesco Acerbi
Francesco Acerbi has had quite a journeyman career to date. Having moved between nine different clubs in his career, the 28-year-old Italian has finally settled down at Sassuolo.
Acerbi is a great reader of the game and completed 3.9 interceptions per match during his stellar Serie A campaign last season.
The Italian is also excellent on the ball and could happily play out from the back, much like Wollscheid, if required.