3 players who could exit if Stoke City are relegated to League One

Stoke City have just six games to ensure their safety, currently five points above the relegation zone as we enter the business end of the season.

Stoke City are currently five points above the relegation zone and have just six games to ensure their safety as we enter the business end of the season.

Stoke City occupy 18th spot in the table having endured their worst Championship season to date since dropping down from the Premier League in 2018. An upturn in form is crucial if they are to avoid finishing in the bottom three.

Steven Schumacher has a number of squad members who could be poached if they suffer relegation, with some more likely than others to head for the exit doors this summer should the club find themselves in League One.

Here, we take a look at three players who could move on from Stoke City if they are relegated this season…

Wouter Burger

Having signed for the Potters in the summer for over £4m, Burger has been one of few positives in what has been a difficult season for Stoke. The 23-year-old has made 35 appearances in all competitions, scoring three and assisting four.

Capped ten times at U21 level by the Netherlands, the midfielder has quickly become a firm favourite among the Potters faithful and looks to be among the top midfielders in the division. Having already gained attention from several clubs around Europe, he would be unlikely to feature in League One.

Andre Vidigal

Despite being in and out of the side in recent weeks, Vidigal remains the Potters’ top goalscorer this season with six goals across all competitions.

The 25-year-old winger, who also signed for Stoke City in the summer, is a constant threat who rarely goes a match without at least testing the opposition goalkeeper. Being in a relegation battle would not have been on the agenda of any of the Potters’ new signings, so it would not be a surprise to see the Portuguese forward jump ship should relegation strike.

Ryan Mmaee

Last but not least in this list, Mmaee also fits into the category of summer signings who could see their Potters stay cut short. The 26-year-old, who joined the Potters from Ferencvaros, has scored four goals and assisted a further four in all competitions this season over 26 appearances.

The Moroccan forward was left out of the squad for a number of fixtures amid an off-pitch issue and rumors circulated that the club were looking to offload him in January to raise funds, so he seems a clear candidate to part ways at the end of the season if League One beckons.