Four ‘new signings’ to boost Stoke City without even heading into transfer market Narcis Pelach has been weighing up the full depth of the Stoke City squad before overseeing his first transfer window as head coach.
Narcis Pelach has been gradually working his way towards a settled starting XI during his first two-and-a-half months as Stoke City head coach.
A core of players who he trusts as regular starters is starting to emerge and there is no doubt he will try expand and improve that group as one, two or three are introduced in the January transfer window.
But there is still a little group of senior players already at Clayton Wood who can still gatecrash his first team plans. and have a big influence on the second-half of the season.
Summer signing Bosun Lawal hasn’t played a competitive game since a medical as he signed from Celtic in the summer flagged up a stress fracture in his lower back. He had played with it all through last season on loan at Fleetwood and impressed in pre-season friendlies for Celtic – but it needed rest and attention to stay under control.
He is starting to train with the squad now and will probably be eased into action with Championship cameos and appearances for the under-21s. This will be a big step up from a loan at Fleetwood, but expectations and hopes are high, and his versatility will give Pelach new options at centre-half, right-back and as a number 8 in midfield.
Charlie Adam, his manager for the second half of last season, told us recently: “Stoke have got a player on their hands, absolutely.
“It was a privilege to work with him. I wouldn’t say I changed him but I thought he would be better as an 8 in terms of his profile and how he can get around the pitch. Physically, he’s very good. Most importantly for us, he’s a good person. He’s a down to earth kid who really wants to learn, wants to
“It’s disappointing that he’s got the injury at the moment and hopefully he’ll be back soon because he’ll definitely make a difference to that midfield and what Stoke have. I don’t see anyone in the Championship like him in terms of his size and profile and athleticism and power to be able to run.
“If you can get him back soon he’ll definitely enhance the team.”
Sam Gallagher, aged 29, striker
Sam Gallagher has only been able to start two games since signing from Blackburn Rovers in August. A calf injury was followed by a hamstring problem. But those two starts were enough to demonstrate that he can seriously influence the team and perhaps be the perfect foil for Tom Cannon, as well as Million Manhoef and Bae Junho, and link with Andrew Moran too. It’s potentially the foundation stone for the attack.
Pelach said last week: “We have been a long time now without Sam Gallagher, who is such a big player for us, and we’ve still managed to do well but Sam needs to come back.”
Gallagher is joining in training in parts this week like Lawal, but the next step should be a little quicker. Pelach added: “Sam is different because he knows the league and he’s played games this season already. We just need to be careful when is the right moment to introduce him to make sure we don’t get another one.”
Sol Sidibe, aged 17, central midfielder
England youth captain Sol Sidibe has made two starts and four sub appearances so far this season and he looks ready to take on the Championship, which isn’t bad going at all for a 17-year-old.
He’s got an excellent touch and he’s a good build and if Pelach wants to be careful not to ask too much too soon, there is no doubt that everyone expects him to figure prominently going forward. He’s gradually working his way up the pecking order and being trusted in matches, not just being handed minutes in dead games.
The head coach said recently: “H e is a very, very clever player. I was really surprised when I first met him about his capability to think and to understand ideas and, as well, the way he expressed his ideas. It’s rare for a player of his age and he’s a lovely guy as well. He’s not getting all the minutes that maybe he would want, but sometimes you help young players by doing what I’m doing.
“I’m not gonna rush anything with him. It doesn’t mean that I don’t like him. I like him a lot, but I’m very demanding with him as well, and I want to put him to play when I feel that he is very, very, very ready.
