Stoke City’s promotion bid in the Championship has faltered as of late.
Across their last ten second-tier matches, the Potters have only won three clashes in total.
Still, despite these notable wobbles in form, Mark Robins’ men only remain two points off the coveted playoff positions, heading into the crunch final months of the dramatic season.
Stoke fans will be holding onto wild dreams of seeing their side in the Premier League for the first time since the 2017/18 season, with one major move for a Premier League star perhaps helping in their push to get back into promotion contention, alongside the confirmed signing of Milan Smit, raising a smile or two.
Stoke lead race to sign £8m star
Smit’s signing will hopefully improve Stoke’s forward line, as the games become more tense near the top of the Championship, with the ex-Go Ahead Eagles striker powering home ten goals from 28 appearances this season, plying his trade in the Netherlands.
To further bolster their attacking options, Stoke could also look to bring in dazzling Crystal Palace star Jesurun Rak-Sakyi down the wings, as a new report states that the Robins and Co are leading the race for the £8m-rated attacker.
Indeed, as per a report from Football Insider, Stoke are named as leading the race for the Palace speedster, over Martin O’Neill’s Celtic, with the initial loan move potentially becoming permanent, which could result in the Potters winning the 23-year-old outright for £8m.
Having recently seen a move fall through to join Swansea City, it’s clear that Rak-Sakyi is an in-demand figure this January, with Stoke’s attack an even more devastating prospect to take in if he does join, when you consider the tantalising partnership that could form between the 5-foot-10 attacker and a red-hot form Sorba Thomas in Staffordshire.
How Rak-Sakyi and Thomas could work at Stoke City
Lauded as a “leader” this season for Stoke by his manager, Thomas has been a revelation for the Potters all campaign long, with sumptuous strikes such as this one back in November regularly hitting the back of the net.
In total, the former Huddersfield Town man has a stunning nine goals and seven assists next to his name from 29 appearances, with his leadership qualities clear for all to see last time out, as he filled in as a makeshift right back, due to Stoke’s worrying injury issues.
He’s certainly living up to his billing of being a “sensational” EFL star that was once handed to him by pundit Ali Maxwell, with the 27-year-old, who predominantly plays down the right wing, surely loving the prospect of having an equally tricky winger join the ranks on the opposing left channel, in Rak-Sakyi.
Rak-Sakyi has also been subject to the same showerings of praise when he has previously starred in the EFL’s top division, with U23 scout Antonio Mango labelling him as “frightening” for his ability to burst forward with skills to boot, while his ex-Sheffield United manager, Chris Wilder, would state that the 23-year-old handed the Blades a “bit of life” that was needed as they chased down promotion.
The one-time Bramall Lane loanee would light up the red and white half of South Yorkshire with his gung-ho performances, leading to Rak-Sakyi collecting seven goals and two assists from 36 appearances.
He would give the other options on Stoke’s right flank a run for their money on that sort of form, with Million Manhoef stuck on seven goal contributions for the season, in contrast. With both Thomas and Rak-Sakyi down either flank, Stoke could well blitz past opponents, as they aim to surge up the table.
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Rak-Sakyi career record vs Thomas |
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|---|---|---|
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Stat |
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Games played |
167 |
285 |
|
Minutes played |
11,305 mins |
20,356 mins |
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Goals scored |
59 |
25 |
|
Assists |
28 |
48 |
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Sourced by Transfermarkt |
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As can be seen in the table above, the exciting pairing really could be a match made in heaven for the Potters, with Rak-Sakyi far more well-equipped to lead from the front as a goalscorer, while Thomas tends to be more unselfish and creative.
Together, they could be just the feared duo that’s needed to push Robins and Co back into the playoff conversation, as Stoke aim to re-enter the promised land of the Premier League for the first time in eight long years.
Best signing since Thomas: Stoke exploring late deal for “outstanding” star
Stoke City are reportedly eyeing a star who would be their best signing since they landed Sorba Thomas.
