Stoke Poised To Make Double Signing But Dont Get Too Excited

[sharonorn]

It has emerged today thatStoke are looking likely to finalise our first moves of the summer transfer window shortly. At those words the thoughts of fans may be flooded with images of Paul Scholes, Djibril Ci s and others, but the truth is unfortunately rather le s glamorous. We are set to land the youthful duo of Matt Lund and Ben Marshall from near neighbours Crewe Alexandra, after the players, considered to be two of the best produced recently by the Alexs famous academy approached Steve Holland, former Crewe coach and current Stoke academy director, about making the short move South. Lund, an eighteen year John Smoltz Jersey old midfielder, and Marshall, a strikerone year his junior had been offered their first profe sional contracts at the League Two club, but instead look likely to take up a similar role with the Potters. If they sign, theyll be given squad numbers and be eligible to feature in any of Tony Puliss matchday squads, but, as with many of our academy products are more likely to spend a season or two in the reserves and out on loan first.Lund and Marshall, despite looking like they should still be collecting Premier League stickers, could soon be Premier League players We all know that Pulis is not one to pack his sides with youngsters, preferring more experienced players. It is telling that Andy Wilkinson, the clubs longest serving player, is still considered to be a smashing kid. That is not to say that young players cannot succeed at Stoke. Ryan Shawcro s, aged 21, who was at the Manchester United academy with Marshall, has made a huge impact in his first Premier League season, while two of our home produced players, Ryan Shotton and Nathaniel Wedderburn are tipped for big things after impre sing out on loan last season. While, its hardly the city rocking transfer news were all hoping for, I believe that it certainly represents a positive move for the club. Having quality young players in the squad is important to the future of any football team, and Holland is one of the best in the busine s at coaching them. Under his guidanceour academy sides have improved rapidly, so if we sees these two players as capable of bringing something to Stoke City, Ill welcome their signing.

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