Stoke City: If nothing happens, these 8 players are going to leave the club | OneFootball

FLW have looked at whether the Potters should keep or let go the eight players that are out of contract at the club this summer

Stoke City's main current focus will be on preserving their Championship status, but beyond this season, numerous first-team players are set to leave upon the expiry of their respective contracts in the summer.

Recently-appointed manager Robins has only had a few months to assess his squad so far, but will have to sanction some big decisions when the campaign finishes as the Potters decide who to keep around, or who to let leave, ahead of 2025/26.

Stoke allowed some key first-team members, such as Tyrese Campbell, to leave upon the expiry of their deals last year, and so sporting director Jonathan Walters is clearly no stranger to making important decisions that have implications in the transfer market.

It remains to be seen what kind of decisions the board and boss will make in months to come, though, so with that in mind, FLW have taken a look at the eight players that are coming to the end of their respective contracts in ST4 this summer and weighed up whether the Potters should move to extend their deals past June 30, or let them leave on a free transfer to find a new challenge.

Lewis Baker

Baker is one of the longest-serving players in the Potters' squad right now, but has experienced a strange season so far after initially being loaned out to Blackburn Rovers back in August.

The 29-year-old joined Stoke in January 2022 from Chelsea, and enjoyed a stellar first year with the club in which he emerged as one of Alex Neil's key players and was made club captain just months after joining.

He fell out-of-favour as time went on, however, particularly under Steven Schumacher, who sanctioned his season-long spell to Rovers last summer, with his time at the bet365 Stadium looking all but over.

Mark Robins moved to recall him in early January, however, to include him in his squads for the duration of the season, and that decision has proven to be a masterstroke with Baker playing a key part in their survival effort over the last few months. With that said, it seems like a no-brainer for Stoke to offer him fresh terms this summer.

Enda Stevens

Left-back Enda Stevens was set to leave Stoke last May, but accepted a contract extension to keep him at the club until this summer despite a largely tough first season in the Potteries.

He joined the club from Sheffield United in 2023 on an initial one-year deal, and was a fairly consistent starter at the beginning of the campaign, but suffered a calf injury in December that kept him out of action until March.

The Republic of Ireland international came back into the fold and impressed towards the end of the campaign, prompting the Potters to offer him a new 12-month deal, but he has been hampered by injuries again this season and had been ousted from the starting lineup by summer signing Eric Bocat in recent weeks, despite being fit to play.

Stevens will be 35-years-old by the time next season starts, and given his age and recurring injury issues, Stoke should let him leave to see out his career elsewhere this summer.

Jordan Thompson

Northern Ireland international midfielder Jordan Thompson was due to be out of contract at the end of last season, but saw the option to extend his deal by another year triggered by Stoke due to his growing influence on Steven Schumacher's side in 2023/24.

The 27-year-old has been a useful utility player for Stoke over the years, and mainly featured at left-back last season in the absence of Stevens, but has returned to his usual defensive midfield position this term.

He is the Potters' current longest-serving player and has made over 150 appearances for the club since joining in January 2020. It feels like a wise decision to hand him an extension ahead of his June expiry, as he is a reliable performer when called upon and has previously expressed his desire to stay at the club past this summer.

Emre Tezgel

Emre Tezgel has been highly rated for a number of years as an academy striker, and became the youngest player to ever play for Stoke when he made his senior debut in January 2022 at 16 years and 112 days old, while also reportedly attracting attention from the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea for his impressive outings at youth level.

Now 19-years-old, he has struggled to realise his potential over the last few seasons amid injury issues and a blocked path to the Potters' senior side under numerous different managers. He was handed consistent chances in the first-team earlier this term, but has fallen out of favour under Robins after Nathan Lowe was recalled in January.

Stoke would no doubt like to keep Tezgel regardless of his lack of impact on men's football, as he clearly has the talent to go a long way in the game in the future.

They should absolutely offer him a new contract this summer, but whether he wants to stay at the club is another question altogether, as he may feel like he would be better served developing elsewhere in England or abroad.

Michael Rose

Michael Rose joined Stoke in the summer of 2023, putting pen to paper on a two-year deal on a free transfer from Coventry City after four years with the Sky Blues.

The 29-year-old was a near ever-present in his debut season at the bet365 Stadium as he made 41 appearances in all competitions, but suffered an ankle injury in pre-season which meant he missed the start of this campaign.

He has faced strong competition for a place in the starting XI with Ashley Phillips, Ben Gibson, and Ben Wilmot all battling with him in the centre-back pecking order, and is set to be free to depart in the summer for a new challenge.

Stoke should move to try and extend his current contract, as, even though he has largely struggled to impress when he has featured, much like the rest of their defence in recent years, the club will want to sell Gibson this summer and will likely be without loanee Phillips, so he should be kept on as a back-up option for at least another year.

Lynden Gooch

Lynden Gooch joined Stoke from boyhood club Sunderland on a two-year deal in 2023 but failed to nail down a consistent starting role under Alex Neil or Schumacher in his maiden season at the bet365 Stadium.

The 28-year-old featured 30 times in all competitions, scoring twice, and was a handy versatile option to have from the bench after he played as a full-back on both flanks, wing-back on both flanks and at left-wing for the Potters.

He probably had more game time than expected at the start of this season, but has been more of a rotational option in recent months amid injury issues.

Gooch should be offered a new deal this summer due to his experience and versatility, which boss Robins likely views as a real asset, as he looks to build a settled squad with a mixture of raw talent and youth as well as nous and professionalism.

Jack Bonham

Jack Bonham has not been able to nail down a consistent starting spot in goal for the Potters since his arrival from Gillingham in 2021 but has featured a lot more than a number two keeper would expect, due to injuries, player sales and loans being recalled.

Bonham was signed as third-choice by Michael O'Neill, but ended up playing 17 times in all competitions in his debut campaign, then featured 27 times in 2022/23 and even played 16 games last season.

He signed a contract extension in November 2023 to see him through to this summer, but has been stuck behind Player of the Season-elect Viktor Johansson this term and rarely featured.

Stoke have England youth international keeper Tommy Simkin coming through the ranks and impressing on loan at Walsall, so now feels like the right time to let Bonham leave for pastures new after four years of service.

Frank Fielding

Veteran goalkeeper Frank Fielding only signed a short-term contract with Stoke upon his arrival on a free transfer in December 2021 to cover for injuries, but he has since penned three different contract extensions at the club to date, with the latest coming at the end of last season as he extended his deal for another year.

He has only played one senior game for the Potters, but that is understandable since he is now 37-years-old. He is widely known as a popular figure in the dressing room and a wise, experienced squad member for when his teammates need advice.

Lots of factors could determine whether he stays on past this summer, but Stoke should offer him another new deal to see him to the end of next season, as the pros of having him in the squad seem to outweigh the very few noticeable cons.

Fielding's decision will likely be left in his own hands if an offer is made, as he may look to end his 18-year playing career that has seen him make 364 appearances for 10 different clubs up to now.