Stoke City

'He reminds me of Andrea Pirlo'

Image source, Phil Greig (Stoke City)

After Stoke City signed Tatsuki Seko on transfer deadline day, a Japanese football journalist has said Steven Schumacher has bought a "really intelligent player".

Shunsuke Ide reports on Japanese Footballers in the Championship and has monitored Seko's progress since he joined Kawasaki Frontale in 2022.

"As soon as he joined he quickly became one of the starting eleven and he controlled the game as the central midfielder," he told BBC Radio Stoke.

"He reminds me of Andrea Pirlo, he controls the ball excellently and brings the ball to the front and he's also an excellent passer who can build up the game from the back. He can be a dangerous player around the final third as he has quite good middle-range shots."

The midfielder signed a three-year contract in the summer but hasn't yet played for Japan. Ide explained that there's a lot of competition in his position.

"I think he's good enough to be selected but his position is highly competitive we have loads of players like Wataru Endō at Liverpool and Ao Tanaka who recently joined Leeds United. We have a lot of players in his position."

Ide added that fans may need to be patient with Seko as he takes time to settle into a new country but he'll be worth the wait.

"He's only ever played in the J.League but the intensity and physicality is much stronger in English football, plus if he experiences any language barrier it could be a blocker for him to adapt to the team, but who knows we may adapt quickly.

"He definitely can be a key player for Stoke to get promotion to the Premier League if he can show his excellent abilities of pass, shoot and game control," he said.

Ide admitted the player does have some areas to develop.

"The only concern is he may struggle to adapt to the defensive side, like if the team ask him to focus on defence work like a number six," he told BBC Radio Stoke.

"Otherwise he will definitely be one of the most exciting and key players this season."

Image source, Phil Greig (Stoke City)

Stoke City loanee Tom Cannon has said he cannot wait to get going at his new club.

The 22-year-old striker signed on loan from Leicester City on transfer deadline day and started training this week.

A host of other Championship teams were interested in his services, but it was his connection with assistant head coach Peter Cavanagh that made him leave the Foxes in favour of the Potteries.

"Cav's [Cavanagh] been texting me the whole summer and when the manager phoned me too I was delighted," Cannon told BBC Radio Stoke.

"From what Cav was saying there was nothing but good about the club and then speaking to the manager it was the same, and him saying how important I was going to be. To hear that as a player, it gives you real confidence."

The Republic of Ireland striker was in Everton's academy for 10 years where Cavanagh was a coach.

Cannon said that relationship was a decisive factor: "I've known Cav right through the [Everton] age groups and get on really well with him, so it's nice to be back with him."

He also credited former Leicester team-mate Jamie Vardy for helping him become a better striker.

Cannon said he likes to play "off the shoulder" and on the "front foot", adding that Vardy has had a big influence on that.

"He's one of the best at it, if not the best," said Cannon. "Growing up, I used to watch clips of him, and to be there with him in training was a bit mad at first, but you get used to it.

"I became good mates with him but it was good that he was there to learn off and just add little bits from his game into my game. It's only going to improve me."

Image source, Phil Greig (Stoke city)

Stoke City head coach Steven Schumacher says he's excited to start working with Japanese midfielder Tatsuki Seko.

The 26-year-old was Stoke's last signing on transfer deadline day having signed from Kawasaki Frontale on a three -year contract.

Schumacher said he's looking forward to seeing what he can do: "He's someone who we know a little bit less of because he's been playing in the J.League.

"The recruitment team highlighted him and said have a look at this player and see what you think."

He continued, "We said technically he was really good, really calm on the ball a clean passer and in tight games in tight moments he looks like he has an eye for a pass.

"It'll take him a bit of time to settle in and get up to speed, but hopefully he does well."

Who would you pick as your Stoke City midfield? Let us know your thoughts here.

Image source, Getty Images

Stoke City winger Million Manhoef says confidence is growing in the team after back to back away wins.

Manheof has scored three goals in his lhe last two games, helping Stoke beat Middlesbrough in the League Cup and Plymouth Argyle in the Championship.

Speaking to BBC Radio Stoke the 22-year-old says the team has a lot to build on:

"Even when we lose a game we don't need to get our heads down. We have a goal in front of us and if we lose we have to accept it and continue. I think the confidence though is quiet high."

Manhoef scored in the 1-0 win at Plymouth and celebrated in front of the Stoke supporters. He says they've been brilliant with him since he arrived in the Potteries earlier this year.

"They're great, they help me and the team a lot, keep us going through the hard moments and I love my song."

After an impressive start to the season the Dutchman has been called up to the Netherlands U23's squad for their European qualifiers against Georgia and North Macedonia.

How important is Million Manhoef to this Stoke City team? Let us know here.

'He almost did a Quarterback role'

Listen to the latest edition of A Cold Wet Tuesday Night from BBC Radio Stoke with Lucas Yeomans and George Weaver, AKA Potterlytics.

Latest episode: Stoke City 1-0 Plymouth Argyle

Lucas and George celebrate the win at Home Park while George highlights one of the Potters midfielders.

You can catch up with previous episodes by clicking here.

Image source, Getty Images

Stoke City head coach Steven Schumacher is hoping for some positive news this week concerning Bosun Lawal's injury.

The midfielder signed from signed from Celtic in the summer but hasn't yet been involved in Schumacher's squad.

Speaking to BBC Radio Stoke, Schumacher provided an update on the 20-year-old's situation: "Bosun had another scan and is progressing."

He added, "If the scan comes back all clear then he can step up his work and it will take him a few weeks to get up to speed."

Meanwhile defenders Michael Rose and Enda Stevens are both expected to resume training during the international break.