Stoke City boss delighted with midfielder’s response to January transfer decision
Stoke City rejected a late transfer bid for Wouter Burger in the January window and the midfielder has gone on to produce his best performances of the season
Mark Robins has been impressed with the reaction of Wouter Burger, his commitment and form after the decision to turn down a transfer bid late in the January window.
Burger, who turned 24 on Sunday, has produced his best performances of the season – and scored his first goal – in the wake of Stoke rejecting an inquiry from Danish Superliga leaders FC Midtjylland heading into deadline day.
Robins is sure that the central midfielder, who is being assessed this week after limping out of the final stages of a 3-1 win against Swansea with a knee injury, will continue to improve as the team does over the next couple of months.
“He’s been brilliant and I think there’s miles more to come from him as well,” said Robins.
“I think he’s a really good player and if he can get on and off the ball quicker and when other players start to come back and when the level starts to go up again you’ll see a different player again.
“I really like him and I like what he’s done, the commitment that he’s shown. Some players can sulk if things haven’t gone their way or whatever but he hasn’t done any of that. He’s acted how you’d expect someone to act or want someone to act.
“He’s been fantastic and he’s led by example. I think he’s done really, really well.”
Jon Walters explained last week why Stoke turned down Midtjylland.
