Alious**Stoke City’s Quietest Deadline Day Reflects Pragmatic Approach Amid Challenges**
Stoke City experienced their most subdued transfer deadline day since returning to the Championship, with the only “new” addition being a familiar face—Ryan Mmaee. The 27-year-old forward has returned from a loan spell at Rapid Vienna, though he remains weeks away from full fitness after an injury-riddled stint in Austria. Mmaee’s time there was plagued by misfortune, suffering a quad injury in his first training session, followed by multiple setbacks during recovery, and a recent hamstring issue picked up in a friendly during the winter break.
Despite these struggles, Rapid Vienna’s sporting director Markus Katzer expressed confidence in Mmaee’s potential, stating, “I am still convinced that Ryan Mmaee would have been a good fit for us and is a very strong player. It is unfortunate that he has been so unlucky with injuries.”
**Injuries and Financial Constraints Shape Stoke’s Transfer Strategy**
Injuries have been a recurring theme for Stoke this season, compounded by Financial Fair Play (FFP) restrictions. The club, mindful of budgetary limits after an £18 million spending spree in 2023—which included Mmaee’s arrival—focused on maximizing their existing squad rather than making big moves in the winter market.
While Stoke pursued reinforcements, including a late attempt to secure another defender after a failed bid for Kevin Danso (hijacked by Spurs), financial realities forced them to pull out of deals for Hibernian’s Elie Youan and Bristol City’s Mark Sykes due to valuation disagreements.
Another potential outgoing was Wouter Burger, who attracted late interest from FC Midtjylland. However, given his importance to the starting XI, Stoke quickly dismissed the approach.
**Mark Robins’ Pragmatic Leadership Amid Turbulence**
Appointed on the first day of the January window, manager Mark Robins has navigated these challenges with composure and pragmatism. He inherited a thin squad due to injuries, financial limitations, and a demanding fixture schedule—seven matches squeezed into his opening weeks, alongside integrating new backroom staff.
Robins recalled three players from loan spells to bolster the squad: Ryan Mmaee, Nathan Lowe (impressive during his time at Walsall), and Lewis Baker (previously at Blackburn). Youngster Darius Lipsiuc was loaned to Walsall to gain first-team experience.
Robins emphasized the club’s disciplined approach: “We’re in a position where we’re doing things by the book. We can’t throw money around that we’re not allowed to. We are focused on working within our means.”
**Injury Crisis and the Evolving Attack**
Stoke’s injury list remains extensive, with key players like Eric Bocat, Ben Gibson, Jordan Thompson, Ben Pearson, Bosun Lawal, Million Manhoef, and Sam Gallagher yet to feature under Robins due to fitness issues. Ben Wilmot has also missed recent matches.
The attack has been particularly impacted. As of mid-January, Stoke’s forward options included Tom Cannon (recalled), Gallagher (injured), Manhoef (injured), Niall Ennis, Andre Vidigal, Emre Tezgel, Lewis Koumas, and Bae Junho. Following several changes, the current lineup consists of Lowe, Ali Al-Hamadi, Gallagher (still sidelined), Mmaee (injured), Manhoef (injured), Vidigal, Tezgel, Koumas, and Junho.
Josh Wilson-Esbrand, brought in from Manchester City, featured as a wide option in the recent match against Hull, filling the gap left by failed attempts to secure additional wingers.
**Optimism Amid Adversity**
Despite the squad’s struggles, Robins remains optimistic about the team’s potential. After the Hull game, he said, “We’ve just got to learn to take the handbrake off, free themselves up, and play in a way I know they can—because I’ve seen it. It’s not just me guessing. They can do it.”
Stoke may not have strengthened significantly on deadline day, but the belief within the club is that the squad will improve as injured players return and confidence grows under Robins’ guidance. The Championship relegation battle remains tight, but Stoke’s destiny is firmly in their hands.
While immediate reinforcements were limited, the expectation is that the squad will find its strength beyond the window—whether through returning players, tactical adjustments, or the growing influence of their new manager. Time will tell if this calculated approach pays off in the season’s critical run-in.
