STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND - APRIL 20: Million Manhoef of Stoke City during the Sky Bet Championship match between Stoke City and Plymouth Argyle at Bet365 Stadium on April 20, 2024 in Stoke on Trent, England.(Photo by Gary Oakley/Getty Images)
Eight players who regret leaving Stoke City after key transfer decisions
The grass isn’t always greener on the other side as StokeonTrentLive looks back at players who will be kicking themselves for leaving Stoke City
There isn’t a very long list of players who have done well at Stoke City and hit a brick wall after deciding the future was brighter away from the Potteries.
For starters, when Stoke were flying in the Premier League, one of their key strengths was being backed to hold onto their star men. So Ryan Shawcross spent his career at the club, Jon Walters and Glenn Whelan stayed put for most of theirs. Steven Nzonzi did leave but, with a Europa League title, France call-up and World Cup winner’s medal around his neck, it might be a push to think he looks back and kicks himself for heading to Seville. Marko Arnautovic probably didn’t have many sleepless nights as his bank balance shot up and Stoke went down in his absence. Robert Huth didn’t want to go and then went and won the Premier League.
But exits haven’t always gone as hoped for players who had shown potential to be a favourite in red and white. We’ve gone back through the archives to pick out eight what-might-have-beens. Any other suggestions to add to this catalogue? Join the debate in the comments section.
