Stoke City Opinion: The Potters should sign Paddy McNair

According to reports from the Belfast Telegraph, Stoke City are very interested in making a move for Paddy McNair. The report further adds that the Potters are not the only horse in the race; with Celtic, Sheffield United, Derby County and even Blackburn Rovers interested.

This does make for a rather interesting battle yet and it’s a race that Stoke need to win. The former Premier League side have not had the best time in recent years, getting relegated from the Premier League at the end of last season.

Things became even worse, with the club spending large portions of this season flirting with relegation. That has made things rather complicated for the club and it’s what manager Nathan Jones has to change.

Not just that, it seems that Stoke City will be losing Jack Butland. The English goalkeeper is arguably the best player at the club and that has seen him heavily linked with a move back to the Premier League.

While replacing him will certainly be very hard, so will replacing both Charlie Adams and Darren Fletcher. The two midfielders have been a big part of Stoke City for the last seven odd years, although Fletcher only joined in the summer of 2017.

The 35-year-old made a big impact in his short spell with the Potters, and replacing him will be tough. But that is exactly where someone like Paddy McNair walks in.

The former Manchester United man has made quite an impact at Middlesbrough and even finished his Old Trafford career with just under 30 appearances. A spell at Sunderland and now Middlesbrough has followed the 24-year-old midfielder, with him becoming one of Boro’s best stars.

A versatile player, McNair can play as either a centre-back, right-back or even as a defensive midfielder, which is where he flourishes. His past further forward has helped his confidence with the ball at his feet, and that further helped his transition into a centre-back.

Cool, composed and an efficient passer, it’s little surprise to see him being linked to Stoke. Furthermore, his defensive nuance will help Stoke City shore up not just their back-line but their midfield, allowing the more creative players more freedom.

That will be a massive bonus if the Potters have any plans of staying in the Championship.

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Conclusion

Stoke City need more than a few reinforcements if they are to make it in the Championship next season.

It will be a dogfight for the promotion playoff spots and if the Potters ever want to make it back, adding young and talented players is the way forward. That is what Paddy McNair is and with a little time, he will help them make a difference.