Stoke City are not close to signing Everton striker Youssef Chermiti, a report from the Liverpool Echo has clarified.
Stoke City are gearing up for an important season as they look to stop their continued Championship rot. SCFC have struggled ever since dropping from the Premier League, but last season’s close shave with relegation must kick big change into action at the Bet365 Stadium.
It will be hoped that a brighter future awaits with the highly regarded Mark Robins entering his first full season as their boss.
SCFC - Stoke City Bet365 Stadium
Image courtesy of: ED SYKES/REUTERS.
New signings are a must though, and given how recruitment has been the downfall of the Potters for some time, there is big pressure on getting this summer right. As such, there was excitement among many when reports of an impending loan swoop for Everton striker Youssef Chermiti emerged.
However, as per a report from the Liverpool Echo, sources on both the Stoke City and Everton ends have played down the claims of an imminent loan deal.
In fact, it would appear the links have been met with complete bemusement. Not only is a deal not imminent, but there is no interest at this moment in time either.
Whether that changes for SCFC over the coming weeks and months, it remains to be seen.
Stoke City’s need for a talisman
Stoke City have two talented young strikers in Nathan Lowe and Emre Tezgel but it seems unlikely that they are entrusted with a regular starting berth just yet.
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Sam Gallagher leads the line well in the Championship but he has never been truly prolific and his injury record is a continued cause for concern.
SCFC - Stoke City boss Mark Robins
Image courtesy of: ED SYKES/REUTERS.
With Niall Ennis and Ryan Mmaee likely to depart on permanent deals, the path will be cleared for a new striker to come in and push for a starting spot. They will stand a good chance of landing the lead role up top, but youngsters Lowe and Tezgel will be champing at the bit for their chance.
Pressure on the Potters
For too long, Stoke City have been on a steady decline. They have hired Robins in an effort to stop this and move up the Championship table.
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However, great managers and talented coaches have come and gone at SCFC over the last seven years and none have been able to ultimately deliver on the goals set for them. Some have fared better than others, but none have been truly successful.
The pressure is really on them to deliver now though. If they drop much further after last season, they will be in real danger of relegation after circling the drain for a little too long.
Signing a top new striker will help them push back up, but it seems unlikely Chermiti will be the man for the job.