Stoke City will be sweating over the January transfer window, where they could potentially lose two of their key players.
The Potters will be looking to the January transfer window as they aim to turn their fortunes around, sitting in the bottom half of the table. After the summer transfer window, they had looked to promise exciting things at the Bet365 Stadium, but instead, they now occupy 18th position in the table, winless in their last five matches.
What had looked to be a push for promotion this season has soon turned into a battle to stay in the division, a situation that the side has found themselves familiar with in the second tier over recent years.
While they may be looking to bring new faces into the club in January, they have utilised the loan market heavily, and that could see them dealt a blow with recent reports from parent clubs in the Premier League.
Tottenham Hotspur could recall loan defender in potential double blow.
January could see a double blow dealt to the Championship side before it has even begun, with two of the club’s loan players linked with returning to their parent clubs in the top flight.
Tom Cannon has been one of the bright sparks in this Stoke City team as he netted again on Tuesday against Luton Town to take his tally to nine for the season. However, with a recent change in management at his parent club, Leicester City and his side struggling, reports have revealed that he could head back to the King Power. That does not mean he would gain regular playing time, with the same report claiming the Foxes could cash in on Cannon, offering a chance for the Potters to retain his services, but second-tier rivals West Bromwich Albion are said to be interested in the forward.
A second loan player could also return to his parent club, with 19-year-old defender Ashley Phillips confirmed to have a recall option on his deal, which Spurs are said to be considering acting on to respond to their injury crisis.
Is a recall a smart choice for the Stoke City pair?
Recalling a player from their loan spell is always a tough decision, as it can hinder the development they are undergoing. For Cannon, it seems straightforward: he should remain with the side to continue his development. The forward is enjoying regular game time in the Championship and finding the net regularly, but Stoke have to ensure that they are not too reliant on him for goals, as he accounts for 43% of their total this season. The likelihood of him dethroning Jamie Vardy as first-choice striker is also very slim.
In the case of Phillips, it also makes little sense for him to return. One reason why they would be considering a return is due to their current injury crisis in defence, but once they can see him back at the club and available, that crisis will be all but averted. It would be nothing but detrimental to see these two return to their clubs and do anything but play regularly with the path they find themselves on.
Given that the Championship club already have areas to improve on in the coming winter window, losing these two would be an even bigger blow and make their jobs even harder recruiting to accommodate for their loss. Either way, the next transfer window is vital for the Potters, who could easily slip down the table without the pair, Cannon in particular.
