Stoke City have inked forward Bojan to a four-year deal, a move that has tremendous implications. But they cannot stop with Bojan, Marko Arnautovic must be next.
Stoke City have had a very interesting year. Always mid-table dwellers, the Potters made a massive statement by landing international transfer target Xherdan Shaqiri to their cause. Shaqiri had been courted by some of the biggest names in Europe, but by Stoke City winning out, they delivered a statement that they could compete with the top clubs.
The immediate impact was impressive. Stoke’s trifecta of Marko Arnautovic, Bojan and Shaqiri provided enough power for Stoke to climb to the top half of the table and within striking distance of the top five. However, in recent weeks, Stoke City have been nothing short of terrible. They have not won in five straight matches. To compile on that, they have not scored in those five matches either, being outscored 10-0 in that span.
Bojan’s deal is the perfect candidate for a momentum swinger. “I am very happy and motivated,” Bojan noted, via BBC Sport, upon the completion of the deal. Bojan went on to point out how indebted he was to Stoke City because it was this club that gave him a chance.
The Spaniard came through Barcelona but like many other prospects to pass through the Catalan’s system, opportunities are rarely ever ready and waiting when you emerge.
Stoke City have enough quality to be pushing towards the top six or seven in the league. Between the top young English keeper in Jack Butland, the aforementioned attacking trifecta and the defensive prowess of Ryan Shawcross, they have what it takes. Sometimes teams just go through funks.
That being said, this Bojan deal cannot be where it ends. It is motivational and all that, but there are other players on the squad needing a new deal. I am of course referring to Mark Arnautovic. The Austrian forward has been absolutely vital to Stoke City’s successes this year and it was only revealed recently discovered that come this summer, a £12.5m release clause will kick in, essentially sealing his fate.
With all the building blocks Stoke City have in place – Butland, Bojan, Shaqiri – they would be taking three steps back by losing Marko Arnautovic. He leads the teams in goals and assists and is without a doubt the heart and soul of this club.
He also perfectly fits the Stoke City aura. Anywhere else and his history of rough-housing and behavioral issues will not be so tolerable.