George Hirst signs: Stoke City's dream XI after September 1st | OneFootball

FLW predicts Stoke City's dream starting XI after the September 1st deadline if everything goes to plan

As Stoke City prepare to take on Swansea City in the opening game of the 2026/27 Championship campaign, head coach Mark Robins will be pleased with the makeup of his squad, but there remains room for manoeuvre in the Potteries.

Stoke have added five fresh faces to their ranks so far this summer, with the Potters getting the majority of their business done nice and early ahead of their pre-season tour in Austria.

Joshua Griffiths will provide competition between the sticks, Djibril Soumare, Ethan Galbraith, and Svante Ingelsson will battle for a place in the midfield, whilst Luke Graham gives Robins another option in the heart of defence.

With the transfer deadline just three weeks away, FLW has taken a look at what Stoke’s ideal starting XI may look like beyond September 1st, if all business goes to plan.

Viktor Johansson

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Consistently one of the best shot-stoppers in the Championship across the past five years or so in spells with Rotherham United and Stoke, Viktor Johansson, barring any unforeseen circumstances, will be Robins first choice goalkeeper this season.

The Swedish international suffered an injury in late December last campaign, ruling him out of action for the second half of the season, with neither Tommy Simkin nor Gavin Bazunu able to replace the newly-elected club captain effectively.

Now back to full fitness, Stoke will be delighted Johansson is available once again, and having penned a fresh four-year deal at the bet365 Stadium this summer, will remain their number one.

Junior Tchamadeu

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Like Johansson, Junior Tchamadeu missed much of the second half of the campaign last time around, having suffered an injury whilst away on international duty for Cameroon.

Expected to miss the start of this season, the 22-year-old also penned a new deal this summer to extend his stay at the club until 2028, and when back fit, his presence on the right side of defence is difficult to replace.

Ben Wilmot

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An unwanted theme is emerging here, as Ben Wilmot missed March onwards last season after picking up an injury in Stoke’s 2-0 away defeat to Swansea.

The 26-year-old is the longest-serving member of the Stoke squad, having joined from Watford in the summer of 2021, and has gone on to make just shy of 200 appearances for the club across all competitions since.

Maksym Talovierov and Bosun Lawal will push the Englishman for a place in Robins’ defence, but when fit, he will surely be given the nod initially.

Luke Graham

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Signed from Scottish Premiership side Dundee for just £2 million this summer, Luke Graham has mightily impressed in pre-season clashes against Everton and Valencia.

The left-footed defender will likely slot straight in on the left side of the back four for Stoke next campaign, and having penned a four-year stay in North Staffordshire, the club have high hopes for the 22-year-old.

Harry Amass

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French left-back Eric Bocat has been linked with a return to Belgium in recent windows, but with the season drawing to an opening, he is still at the club, and for now, will likely get the nod.

36-year-old Aaron Cresswell has extended his stay at the club for another year, but has since suffered an injury in pre-season, ruling him out for an unknown period of time as yet.

Left-back has been an issue for Stoke over the years, and with Manchester United’s Harry Amass reportedly available for just £6 million after impressing out on loan with Sheffield Wednesday, a deal for the 19-year-old should be on the cards.

Djibril Soumare

Djibril Soumare already has a year of Championship experience under his belt, with the Senegalese midfielder having spent last season on loan at Sheffield United from Portuguese outfit Braga.

The 23-year-old fits the athletic, physical presence the Potters have been searching for in the middle of the park in recent windows, and his £3.9 million capture means that, when fit, he will surely be given the nod over the likes of Ben Pearson, Svante Ingelsson, and Tomas Rigo.

Ethan Galbraith

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A move that shocked the Championship when it happened, Northern Irish international Ethan Galbraith completed a £10 million move to Stoke from their opening day rivals Swansea last month.

The former Leyton Orient midfielder balanced his time between midfield and right-back during his one-year stay in South Wales, impressing in both, leading Stoke to part ways with a potential eight-figure fee to bring him to the bet365 Stadium.

His minutes have been managed in pre-season, but when fit, he surely starts every game in the middle of the park for the Potters.

Lamine Cisse

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Having joined from French outfit Bastia for a fee in the region of £2 million last summer, Lamine Cisse struggled to nail a place in Stoke’s side last season, making just 19 starts in 34 appearances in the second tier.

Capable of playing anywhere across the front line, the 23-year-old has been utilised on the right in pre-season, and after a year of adaptation to the English second tier, could be set to explode into life this time around.

Million Manhoef

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Used predominantly off the right for the bulk of his time at Stoke, Dutch attacker Million Manhoef has been used in a more central role during pre-season, likely because of the impending departure of Bae Jun-ho to Lyon.

With one year left on his deal at the club, Stoke will be hoping to tie him down to fresh terms as soon as possible, having been an ever-present in the side since his arrival in January 2024.

He will almost certainly start the year somewhere in Stoke’s attack, with a more central role being the likeliest of options at this moment.

Sorba Thomas

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Last year's player of the season, Sorba Thomas enjoyed an exceptional year on a personal level last time around, scoring 11 and grabbing ten assists in 45 Championship appearances, as only Zan Vipotnik and Oli McBurnie racked up more goal contributions.

The Welsh international has been loosely linked with a move to West Ham United this summer, but no formal move has been made yet by the Hammers, as Robins will be hoping to keep him at the club by all accounts.

Should everything go as planned, he will be playing off the left flank for Stoke to begin the campaign.