STOKE TOUR USA
Posted on July 29, 2013
Stoke City are one of the several teams currently having chosen the United States as the destination for their pre-season tour.
Under the management of Mark Hughes, the club will be looking to make the transition into attacking and attractive football in the coming season. Even though Stoke have not been hugely active in the transfer window, they have brought in some names as per the recommendation of Hughes. The manager has revealed that he has even more opportunity to sign quality players during the period he spends in the United States.
Hughes has recalled how the United States has become the new hotbed of young and attractive talent, who have flourished in the Premier league in the last few years. Players like Clint Dempsey and Brad Friedel have proved over the years that the United States has a lot of good footballers. Hughes may have said that he is extremely happy with the squad he has at his disposal, but he wants to keep an eye out on the attractive talent during his brief stay in the United States.
Erik Pieters and Marc Muniesa have been the major signings for Stoke City in this transfer window so far. The two players have been brought in from PSV Eindhoven and Barcelona respectively.
“You are always looking for players wherever you play, and if you’re facing players you haven’t faced before it would be silly not to take notes. I have worked with the likes of Clint Dempsey at Fulham who was great for me because he scored goals and played with a great work ethic. I would have no qualms working with American players. There’s a desire in them to be the best they can be. They work to progress and be the best they can be and I’ve seen that in my players in the past,” said Hughes.