Why Stoke must fight tooth and nail to keep hold of Begovic

The last few weeks haven’t been the best in Mark Hughes’ life as a Premier League manager as Stoke languish just above the relegation zone after 3 defeats in a row.

His tenure started off brightly enough as the Potters took maximum points against Crystal Palace and West Ham before a draw at home to last season’s runners-up Manchester City. Things were looking good for Hughes – desperate to improve his reputation after a torrid spell at Queens Park Rangers – and Stoke fans must have enjoyed seeing their team’s passing game improve. Compared to last season’s first 4 games Hughes’ side marked a 6% improvement in possession percentages, a 12% increase in passing accuracy and a drop in their average pass length.

However, the side’s recent run of results has left them in a vulnerable position as Hughes continues to take Tony Pulis’ influence out of the squad as he aims for a more cultured style of play. The stats say that Hughes is making a positive influence in that area, but will he manage to keep the club in the Premier League long enough to see his hard work pay off?

One player that is vital to the future of Stoke is their Bosnia & Herzegovina international Asmir Begovic. Interest was rife in the 26-year-old stopper during the summer as Liverpool, Arsenal and Atletico Madrid all reportedly chased the man who kept 12 clean sheets last term. Furthermore, last January, Jack Butland joined the Potters from Birmingham and it seemed he was all set to replace the ex-Portsmouth goalkeeper in the Stoke City goal.

Premier League Top Ranking Keepers (Last Season)

Stoke owner, Peter Coates, often tells the media of his admiration for Begovic and has said it would take a big club to take him away from the Staffordshire based club.

“I feel he’s as good as anybody in the Premier League,” Coates told Sky Sports.

“I don’t know anyone who is better.

“You always have to be realistic about these things. If a call came from a top European club and was attractive to him, then you have to look at it.

“It wouldn’t be much of a surprise to me and that’s why we have contingency plans in place with other goalkeepers at the club.

“We would be reluctant to sell him because you want to keep your best players, but equally you are realistic about things. You also have to consider the player’s view.”

Compared to a man he could have replaced in the summer, Wojciech Szczesny, his goalkeeping stats are favourable as he comes out on top in several key areas.

Although Stoke fans must be dreading the day they see their reliable Bosnian leave the club, they must be delighted to see the club preparing for the future by signing Jack Butland. Despite his potential the Birmingham City man has no Premier League experience and it would have been wise for them to send him out on loan to a top-flight club instead of Championship strugglers Barnsley.

Clubs in a similar position to Stoke City have struggled in the past when they have lost their last line of defence. Notable mentions are Mark Schwarzer and Jussi Jaaskelainen at Middlesbrough and Bolton Wanderers respectively.

Boro struggled to adapt with the loss of the Australian international and were relegated in the first season (2008/09) without him. After years of loyal service, Bolton decided to drop Jaaskelainen and were dealt the ultimate punishment as they were relegated that very season (2011/12) before losing the club legend to West Ham on a free. Jussi has gone on to prove to everyone that he’s still got what it takes in the big-time, unlike the Trotters who sit just above the Championship relegation zone.

Another club that could be going down the slippery slope of relegation after selling their star-keeper is Sunderland. After selling Simon Mignolet to Liverpool in the summer they look to be heading towards the Championship after conceding 16 goals – double that from the same point last season – in the opening 7 matches. Mignolet, however, has had a solid start to his Anfield career while his replacement, Keiren Westwood, has struggled in the Sunderland goal and sits bottom of the goalkeeping stats table for the current season.

All the evidence says that to continue his renovation at the Britannia, Mark Hughes must hold onto his prize-asset whether a club comes in with a big offer, or not. Throwing a young and inexperienced goalkeeper like Jack Butland in at the deep end by giving him a starting position for a relegation candidate would be a foolish decision and one that could end disastrously for all involved.