Contract revelation emerges over Stoke City duo as deals near expiry
Stoke City have options to extend the contracts of Lewis Baker and Michael Rose as their deals wind down, according to Stoke on Trent Live.
Stoke City can finally breathe a sigh of relief having staved off relegation on the last day of the season. SCFC finished 18th, two points above the bottom three.
The Potters had a huge final day clash with Derby County, but Luton Town’s dismal display at West Brom meant relegation fears were allayed fairly early on Saturday afternoon. Mark Robins and John Eustace’s sides duly played out a 0-0 draw with both confirming their Championship status for another year.
The focus now switches to a vital summer transfer window at the Bet365 Stadium though. Regardless of the level of investment, Stoke City have barely had a successful summer transfer window since dropping from the Premier League in 2018, resulting in a steady decline and no top-half finishes.
The Potters have decisions to make before they can enact summer recruitment plans, including calls over out-of-contract players such as Lewis Baker and Michael Rose.
However, according to Stoke on Trent Live, SCFC have contract extension options in the deals of both Baker and Rose. It means that, if triggered, they can both see their stays extended until 2026 without having to negotiate new terms.
Decisions to make over Baker and Rose
Amid this revelation over the extension options in Baker and Rose’s Stoke City contracts, the wide expectation will be that both players see the clauses triggered.
Clubs rarely opt against doing so, as even if the players don’t figure in the plans for next season, the Potters can trigger the option and sell them for a transfer fee this summer if they wish. That would surely be the preference if both end up being surplus to requirements.
It seems likely that both are kept onboard though, especially Baker, who has played a prevalent role since returning from his Blackburn Rovers loan.
As for centre-back Rose, injury has limited his role towards the end of the campaign but as a player SCFC boss Robins is more than familiar with, he could prove a valuable player to keep around.
A crucial summer for Stoke City
It feels as though Stoke City have been in the same position every summer since relegation. They have to wipe the slate clean and revamp the ranks once again in a bid to kick on and push to the right end of the Championship table.
They do so under new management again too. This time last year, Steven Schumacher was at the helm, but it didn’t take long for him to be replaced by Narcis Pelach, who proved to be another ill-fated appointment.
In Robins, the Potters hopefully have a steady pair of hands they finally feel they can push on with. He has to be backed with strong recruitment though, which has ultimately been the downfall in Staffordshire for too long now.
