“Massive Signing” – Sky Sports pundit supports Stoke City and Leicester City deal
Former West Bromwich Albion player Don Goodman believes Stoke City may have hit the jackpot with the summer signing of Tom Cannon.
Stoke City managed to fend off significant Championship interest to secure the services of Leicester City striker Tom Cannon on loan for the season.
Cannon, who joins from the Premier League side, was reportedly on the radar of Middlesbrough, Luton Town, Sunderland, and Hull City during the summer, but it was Steven Schumacher who eventually landed the former Everton man.
The 21-year-old’s arrival has sparked optimism in Stoke’s ranks, with Goodman expressing confidence that the revamped frontline will soon start delivering strong performances.
Expectations are high for Cannon, who is seen as a crucial addition to the squad.
Tom Cannon aiming to regain form at Stoke City
Cannon made a name for himself during the 2022/23 season, scoring eight goals in 20 league matches while on loan at Preston North End.
His impressive displays during his first taste of professional football saw his stock rise, and promotion-chasing Leicester City wasted no time in snapping him up last summer in a deal reportedly worth £7 million.
Despite the promising start to his career, Cannon struggled for game time at Leicester, managing only three league starts.
His loan move to Stoke offers a fresh opportunity to rediscover his goal-scoring form, with Schumacher eager to unlock the striker’s potential and get him firing again.
Alongside other summer signings like Andrew Moran, Lewis Koumas (on loan), and Sam Gallagher, who joined from Blackburn Rovers, Schumacher now has several attacking options.
Goodman believes Cannon could be the missing piece in the puzzle for Stoke.
“Tom Cannon is a huge signing for Stoke, no doubt about that,” said Goodman. “Steven Schumacher hasn’t had much room to maneuver this summer, so he’s been focused on coaching the current squad to win games.
They’ve had a solid start, and Cannon will be a great addition.
With him and Sam Gallagher, they’ve gone from limited forward options to having some very strong ones.”
Stoke City showing promise despite a mixed start to the season
Stoke kicked off their season in style with a 1-0 win over Coventry City on opening day.
However, their lack of firepower soon became evident as they suffered a 3-0 defeat to Watford and a 2-1 loss to West Bromwich Albion.
With Gallagher yet to make his debut since arriving from Ewood Park, Schumacher has relied on young striker Emre Tezgel, along with Million Manhoef and Ryan Mmaee.
While Mmaee has since gone on loan to Rapid Vienna, Manhoef scored the winning goal in a 1-0 victory over Plymouth Argyle, giving Schumacher a satisfying result against his former club during a return to Home Park.
Looking ahead to fixtures against Oxford United, Hull City, and Middlesbrough, Goodman is optimistic about Stoke’s early season form.
“They’ll be content with two wins and two losses to start the season, especially considering one of those losses was against a strong West Brom team.
The Watford defeat stings, but they won’t be the only ones to lose to them this season.”
With Cannon’s arrival and other new signings beginning to settle in, Stoke City are showing promising signs as they push forward in the Championship campaign.
