Our resident Stoke City fans here in the Transfer Tavern have experienced their typical pattern of ups and downs this terms, despite their impressive start to the campaign.
Mark Hughes has completely changed the style of the Potters’ football, which looking likely to secure them a top half finish.
Our landlord thinks Hughes has done a simply magnificent job at the Premier League side, and says he has successfully diminished the stereotype of ‘hoofball’ football the club were getting.
However, several of the players at the manager’s disposal are way below the quality required to push on from this season and improve further, with many expected to leave this summer.
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Click on Mark Hughes below to reveal FIVE players that he should sell this summer!
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Shay Given
One player who Stoke should look to offload is goalkeeper Shay Given.
The Republic of Ireland man has declined recently due to his age.
At 40-years old, his time between the sticks is inevitably coming to an end, though the stopper should have potentially retired earlier in his career when he was more highly regarded.
Instead, he has tarnished his reputation, making silly errors and conceding poor goals.
Peter Crouch
Peter Crouch is another player who the Potters should look to sell this summer.
The former England international has only featured nine times this season under Mark Hughes, failing to claim a single goal or assist in those matches.
The 35-year old is another player who is only getting older and could depart at the end of the season.
Stephen Ireland
Former Manchester City midfielder Stephen Ireland has struggled to reach the ambitious heights with which he was linked with when he broke through as a youngster.
Now at 29 years of age, the Irish midfielder has failed to start a single league game this term, making all of his 12 appearances as a substitute.
Jonathan Walters
Striker Jonathan Walters has been a regular player for Stoke this term, making 24 league appearances and scoring five goals, whilst also creating a further three.
However, the 32-year-old has been a less than impressive striker in recent times and if Mark Hughes wants to take the club to a better place, he might have to let Walters leave in order to bolster his squad.
Charlie Adam
Ex-Liverpool man Charlie Adam is yet another name on the list of expendable players at the Britannia Stadium.
The 30-year old midfielder has been a regular for Stoke, making 19 appearances, yet he has failed to score or create a single goal for his club.
The Scotsman is another experienced player who could ultimately make way for other players to come in during the summer window.
