"Massive" - Stoke City: Tom Cannon January concern raised | OneFootball

FLW's Stoke fan pundit has raised one major concern surrounding the club ahead of the January transfer window

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’s first half of the season so far has not quite lived up to pre-campaign expectations.

Narcís Pelach has taken over the side from Steven Schumacher, but results have not been consistent enough under the Spaniard.

The Potters are mid-table going into the November international break, and will be hoping to put together a good run of form before the January transfer window opens.

The winter market could be a great opportunity for the club, especially as it will be Pelach’s first opportunity to make changes to the first team squad.

However, the new year could also pose some concerns for the Championship side, mainly around the future of Tom Cannon.

When asked what one concern they had for the club’s January window, FLW’s Stoke fan pundit Sam Harrison suggested the future of Tom Cannon.

Leicester hold an option to recall the forward in the new year, which he feels could have a major impact on the team should the Foxes pull the trigger on that.

“My main concern that I’ve got ahead of the January transfer window, which happened to Stoke last season, is a loan player being recalled, and it is having a big effect,” Harrison told Football League World.

“Obviously, last season it happened with Mark Travers.

“We then brought in Daniel Iversen, who was a good replacement, so in a way it paid off in terms of we weren’t hindered too much but it did have an impact.

“But, and the reason I’m saying this, I think it is much bigger this time, and that’s [because of] Tom Cannon.

“Leicester have that option to recall him, whether they want him to be in the first team or to shuffle him off and get money for him.

“That could absolutely happen, and it’s one of them where you know what you’re getting, the amount of goals.

“We haven’t seen that for a while, where we see a striker that’s actually getting a consistent amount of goals.

“Yes, it’s penalties, but it’s also what he brings to the table as well as his goals.

“There’s such a big impact that he has, in terms of what he’s bringing to this Narcis Pelach side, and he’s a key member of that.

“So, my biggest worry is, in terms of January, is whether he gets recalled.

“If we can keep hold of him, then that’s massive for the club and for how the rest of the season might go.

“But the question is then, if they are looking to get money for him, and they are looking for a permanent, how much of a risk do you take? We know what he can bring.

“Will him showing what he’s made of at Stoke, persuade him to come back? We don’t know what’s going to happen, and I think, at the moment, is the biggest concern ahead of the January transfer window.”

Tom Cannon’s impact at Stoke​​​​​

Cannon arrived on loan at Stoke in the summer from Leicester after struggling for game time with the Foxes last season.

Since joining, the 21-year-old’s made 11 appearances in the Championship and has contributed six goals, as well as one assist.

The Ireland underage international is the club’s top goalscorer, bagging double the next best of Million Manhoef.

Stoke are currently 13th going into the international break, with their next fixture coming up against QPR on 23 November.

Stoke are in a difficult position with Cannon

Supporters are often told to never get too attached to a loan player, but Cannon’s goals will be hard to replace if he does depart in January.

The Potters have to hope that Leicester are pleased with his progress, and that they will wait to assess his future in the summer.

The youngster will be a crucial part of Pelach’s side in the second half of the season if he stays, so losing him would be a real blow.

It’s difficult to know if the club could even afford a permanent deal, as it’s unclear just how much Leicester would want in order to cash in on Cannon.