Outside90’s Tom Batten goes through some of the biggest and best talents in Stoke City’s youth sides. While they may not produce wonder-kids like Barcelona, Stoke City have taken some knowledge, tips and players from the Spanish club and it is paying off.
If you have not seen the first article about Stoke City’s academy prospects, click HERE to check it out.
Dale Eve (Goalkeeper)
A Stoke City under 21 player who also plays internationally for Bermuda, Eve has been on loan to clubs such as Fleetwood Town, Nuneaton and Newcastle Town. His first game for Bermuda came at just 16 years of age and since then, the shot-stopper has gone on to play three more international matches.
Eve has been at the club since 2013 when he joined from Derby County and his loyalty was repaid after being given a two year contract valid until 2017. At only 20 years of age, it doesn’t look likely that he will get a first team call up, but when in form he could definitely challenge Jack Butland or Shay Given. However, with five goalkeepers in the first team he will need to work hard for a spot.
Mason Watkins-Clark (Defender)
The Irishman can play as a full back or centre half and at 20 years of age he has made four appearances for the Republic of Ireland under 21’s team. His first goal for the national team was scored against Qatar in a one-all draw when he played as a right midfielder. His career at Stoke may be more suited to the right back position however, as Stoke only have a handful of players who can play there and they are ageing fast.
Phil Bardsley and Andy Wilkinson are fairly good players, but they are not long term options and Watkins-Clark could be the future of the right back position at Stoke. He will have to not only impress Mark Hughes but also the fans of the club to replace club legend, Wilkinson.
Eddy Lecygne (Midfielder)
The French midfielder is currently at the Stoke City academy and appeared in their big 5-0 win over Wrexham. Lecygne was also asked to train with the first team by manager Mark Hughes and was told that ‘the first team door is open if you can impress’. That being said, he has not been given the opportunity to play for Stoke City’s senior team in his three year tenure at the club.
Lecygne has appeared in three matches for the French under 21’s team, including a 5-0 win against Germany. Steven N’Zonzi left Stoke City at the end of last season and the club is still looking for a decent central midfielder to replace him. Chelsea loanee Marco van Ginkel has been a temporary fix to the solution but a permanent first team player could be closer to Stoke-on-Trent than most expected. Eddy Lecygne plays the same position as his countryman and this could mean a debut game sooner rather than later.
Joel Taylor (Forward/Defender)
The winger could make a first team appearance soon because of the scintillating form that he is in. Taylor scored two goals in an under 21’s match against Wrexham recently, which could be enough for a first team call-up. He has also scored one goal in four matches during the under 21 Premier League season so far.
Despite all the goals he has scored, he may be more likely to play for the senior team as a left back. Stoke City only have two players that are able to perform at their best in that position: Erik Pieters and Glen Johnson. If one of these players suffers an injury then this could open the door to Taylor playing some games. Due to the foreign talent on display in Stoke’s attack I cannot see him playing on the wings in the Premier League for a while. However, if he keeps playing the way he did against Wrexham, he might get that chance at the back.
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