According to a recent report from The Daily Mail, Stoke City are interested in landing winger Tom Ince this summer. The 26-year-old made the move to Premier League side Huddersfield Town 12 months ago but failed to make a meaningful impact in the top-flight for the Terriers, managing just two goals from his 33 league games, of which just 27 were starts.

And Gary Rowett’s Stoke are reportedly keen on luring the £7.2 million-rated ace (as per Transfermarkt) to the bet365 Stadium ahead of their Championship campaign, and the Potters would certainly take some stopping in their quest for an immediate Premier League return were they to indeed land the winger.

The Breakdown

Ultimately, Ince has struggled throughout his career to make much of an impact at Premier League level, be it during spells at Crystal Palace and Hull City back in 2013 and 2014, or indeed his current stint at Huddersfield, with his numbers at top-flight level in stark contrast to his Championship contributions.

And that’s because the 26-year-old has proven to be a hugely adept attacker at second tier level during his career in netting 68 goals and laying on 44 assists in 211 Championship matches, which equates to a direct contribution every 148 minutes (in the Premier League, he averages one every 792 minutes).

And having exceeded ten goals in four of his six campaigns at second tier level, alongside a healthy number of assists, it’s clear that Ince can produce the goods in the Championship and is evidently a nightmare for defenders - thus, he could be perfect for a Stoke side seeking an immediate return to the top-flight.

Rowett’s men have already been busy bringing in proven Championship players in Benik Afobe and Adam Federici to aid in their promotion quest this season, much like Rafa Benitez’s Newcastle did when they were relegated back in 2016, before winning the second tier title 12 months later.

And adding the supremely talented Ince to their ranks will only serve to further bolster the attacking department, and indeed their chances of sealing an immediate return to the Premier League.

In fact, such has been Ince’s efforts in the second tier in recent times, Stoke would take some stopping were they to add the 26-year-old this summer.

Stoke City fans… what do you think? Let us know!