Stoke City will be happy with their transfer business throughout the summer, but may still be looking to add some last-minute reinforcements to bolster their squad.
The Potters brought 10 new faces into their squad across the window, with the likes of Viktor Johansson, Eric Bocat and Bosun Lawal arriving on permanent deals, as well as the likes of Tom Cannon, Andrew Moran and Lewis Koumas joining on loan for the season.
Boss Steven Schumacher also allowed numerous first-team players to depart ahead of the campaign, as Tyrese Campbell left upon the expiry of his contract, Mehdi Leris and Josh Laurent departed on permanent deals, and Lewis Baker joined Blackburn Rovers on loan.
Despite a host of incomings and outgoings, Schumacher may not yet be fully happy with his squad on the whole, and FLW have picked out two free agents that the Potters could look to bring in soon.
Ovie Ejaria
Schumacher has used a few different players at left-wing so far due to injuries and trying new things, and he does not seem 100% set on a starter in that position as yet, so Ovie Ejaria could be a good addition to come in and compete there for this season.
Ejaria came through the ranks at Liverpool, but never broke through into their first-team while going out on loan to Sunderland, Rangers and Reading, and he then joined the latter on a permanent deal in 2020.
He was a regular for the Royals in the second-tier from 2019 to 2022, and featured over 100 times in the league during that time while notching numerous goals and assists, so it is clear that he has the ability to play consistently in the Championship.
| Ovie Ejaria 2020/21 Reading FC statistics | |
|---|---|
| Games | 38 |
| Goals | 3 |
| Assists | 5 |
| Successful take-ons per 90 | 2.92 |
| Pass completion % | 83.6% |
| Shot-creating actions per 90 | 3.63 |
| Stats as per FBref, league games only | |
The 26-year-old’s last Reading appearance came in November 2022, and he had his contract terminated by mutual consent just over a year later due to “injury and fitness problems limiting first-team action, and a desire from the club to reduce its expenditure.”
He has since gone on trial at second-tier side Plymouth Argyle in January, then at Oxford United this summer, and has also been linked with a move to Sheffield Wednesday, but is still yet to find a club with the new season now well underway.
Stoke should not be deterred by that though, as he is clearly a talented player and could be a real asset to Schumacher’s side while offering them something different not only on the left wing, but also as a number eight or 10.
He currently has the likes of Bae Jun-ho and Lewis Koumas as his options off the left side, but the former has been playing in a more central attacking role as of late, while utility man Lynden Gooch has filled in there due to injuries, but is better suited to a full-back role going forward.
Ryan Fredericks
Stoke are lacking at right-back as it stands, and while it may have eventually been a conscious decision not to bolster their ranks in that position this summer, the Potters may look at a free agent option like Ryan Fredericks as too good to turn down.
Fredericks is a battle-hardened full-back that has played over 140 games in the second-tier, and 75 in the Premier League, so has likely been courted by numerous sides in recent months, but has had recent injury issues that may be putting teams off making an approach.
His current injury status is unclear after he left AFC Bournemouth at the end of last season after failing to feature all season, but if he is fit, he would be a very useful player for Schumacher to have as a back-up to Junior Tchamadeu.
The 31-year-old’s last Championship campaign saw him win promotion through the play-offs with Fulham in 2017/18, as well as being included in the PFA Team of the Year and the Championship Team of the Season, so he can be a standout at the level when given the opportunity.
Stoke have just one out-and-out right-back in the squad in Tchamadeu as it stands, and were linked to the likes of former loanee Ki-Jana Hoever, Sturm Graz man Max Johnston, and Newcastle youngster Harrison Ashby throughout the summer, but surprisingly did not sign anyone there, and are instead heading into the rest of the campaign with Tchamadeu as first-choice, Gooch as a back-up, and youngster Jaden Dixon that can also step into that role.
If Schumacher does want to delve into the free-agent market for a new face at right-back for the season, he should go for Fredericks, as long as his fitness is in a good place.
