Stoke City concern issued over potential Man United transfer - it involves Aaron Cresswell | OneFootball

Harry Amass is a Potters transfer target - but Stoke may not be the best-placed club for the teenager to join in January

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Stoke City have a developing situation at left-back, with Man United starlet Harry Amass linked and Eric Bocat rumoured to be of interest overseas ahead of the January transfer window opening.

French defender Bocat could leave Stoke, and a January exit could be on the cards, with Standard Liege reportedly interested in signing the 26-year-old. He is one of the club's specialist left-backs alongside Aaron Cresswell, and his exit could produce a vacancy at the bet365 Stadium.

That could theoretically be filled by the aforementioned Amass though, with the Daily Mail reporting that Mark Robins' side are interested in a deal for the Sheffield Wednesday loanee, who has impressed this season in a struggling side.

It's not Bocat though who is providing the biggest conundrum though - instead, it's the experience of Aaron Cresswell.

Football League World's Stoke fan pundit, Pete O'Connell, has shared his views on the situation at left-back, having been asked whether that area is the least of the club's concerns amid links to Amass - although Bocat potentially departing may cause an issue.

"Left-back has definitely not been one of our problems," O'Connell told FLW.

"I think Aaron Cresswell has been a bit of a revelation, really. I was worried we were signing someone who was a bit past it and was coming here for a big pay day.

"He's been anything but that. He has been superb. He looks fit as a fiddle. I've been really impressed with the quality that he's got. You can see why he's played so many Premier League games.

"Bocat is a pretty decent replacement, particularly when we play three games in a week. It's usual that Bocat will play the midweek game. But, if Bocat is looking to move on, then I suppose it would make sense to look for another left-back.

"But I would be surprised if anyone other than Cresswell would be first-choice, just because he has been so good and so impressive since he arrived with us.

"Is the new left-back the least of the club's concerns? I would say it is very low down the priorities list, unless they know Bocat is leaving. In which case, it would obviously make loads more sense."

Speaking to the club’s official podcast, Cresswell explained the incredible turn of events that led to his decision in the summer to move from West Ham United to Stoke.

He said: “I went to Portugal on a mini pre-season before the actual pre-season started. I didn’t know where I was going to be [this season]. I had just got off the phone with my agent and he mentioned about Stoke and a couple of other clubs.

“I’m stood there having a conversation, I look down as I’m stood in the queue at the airport for passport control, and there’s a big, massive Stoke City tattoo on the side of this guy’s leg.”

It turns out that it was enough for Cresswell to make a decision. He added: “I said to my mate, ‘That’s a sign. That’s fate.’ Everything happens for a reason… that’s the reason I signed for Stoke.”

It's fair to say neither he nor Stoke appear to regret that decision now, given his performances as a left-back, and he's still shining in his advancing years - his showings aren't becoming of someone that will need to be dropped in the second half of the season.

Whilst Amass would add to Stoke's options in a strong way in January, should they win the battle for his services, Man United will want the teenager to get the regular game-time he's earning at Hillsborough right now - that however would not be guaranteed in Staffordshire.