Stoke City manager Mark Robins has every right to be furious amid midfielder’s transfer admission | OneFootball

Stoke City boss Mark Robins won't be impressed with his midfielder's recent comments

Stoke City manager Mark Robins will be desperate for a huge transfer window this summer as the Potters aim to fight higher up the Championship next season.

Nobody at the Bet365 Stadium was satisfied with 18th place in the league last term, especially when it saw the club end the 2024/25 campaign just two points above the drop zone.

As Robins looks to gather the troops and re-energise them ahead of next year, he needs every player fully committed to his project.

Therefore, the 55-year-old has every right to be outraged at Bae Junho’s recent comments surrounding his Stoke future.

Bae Junho hints at Stoke City exit

Junho signed for the Potters from South Korean side Daejeon Hana Citzen, in August 2023, and enjoyed a positive debut campaign. A couple of goals and five assists warranted the club's Player of the Season award and built excitement for the midfielder’s second season at the Bet365 stadium.

However, the 21-year-old couldn’t build on his good start in the 2024/25 campaign and was inconsistent throughout Stoke’s survival fight.

Now, Junho has spoken on his future with the Potters, admitting that he is open to moving elsewhere this summer.

“This season, I felt more disappointed than last season, and I felt a variety of emotions,” explained the South Korean international to newsnate.

“It's a shame that the team didn't finish the season on a good note. I think we need to forget about the past and prepare well for next season.

“It is true that my agents are in contact with many teams. All I can do is do my best in any given situation.

"Rather than wanting to go to a league or club, I want to think about a lot of things, such as how much they want me and what kind of situation they are in.”

Mark Robins is right to be frustrated, but could use the situation to his advantage

Stoke’s boss has grounds to be upset with his midfielder, especially due to Junho’s less-than-impressive performances last season.

With the young prospect stating his desire to communicate with other clubs so openly, this could potentially lead others in the Stoke squad to question their own futures too.

As a result, the Potters could end up in a scenario where it becomes clear that players no longer believe in Robins’ project, which would rightly outrage the manager.

It could be understood if Junho had set the world alight last season and sought this summer as an opportunity to progress his career.

But in the midst of a relegation battle, the midfielder failed to play an instrumental role in Stoke’s survival, which will only fuel Robins’ frustration over his comments.

Negativity highlighting the club’s situation also won’t have pleased the manager, as this could make potential signings think twice about whether a move to the Potters this summer would be the best thing for their career.

Lamenting the club in such public fashion is exactly what Robins and Co. didn’t need, coming off the back of such a testing season, which would make the Stoke boss’ frustration understandable.

However, he could use this set of circumstances strategically and spin this negative situation into a positive outcome for the club.

If Junho’s agents do find some parties interested in the 21-year-old’s services, Stoke could charge a multi-million-pound fee, due to the player still having two years left on his contract.

His tender age also means suitors would be paying a premium for his potential to grow throughout his career.

Therefore, although Robins’ outrage at the situation can be expected, it could turn into a positive scenario for Stoke if the club plays their cards right.