Stoke had a tough draw in their first game of the season, where they travelled to the Goodison Park to only lose 1-0 to a new-look Everton side, making a bad start to their campaign. Mark Hughes has made some decent signings this summer but is still looking for players who can walk into the first team and this has seen him linked with some star players recently.
They have been in the market, searching for some of the finest talents in European football and it is now understood that they are just days away from announcing their new signing.
Jese Rodriguez signs for Stoke
Former Real Madrid star Jese Rodriguez has reportedly completed his medical on Monday at Stoke and will be announced in the upcoming days. It is understood that the Potters are ready to let Joselu join Newcastle United and want Jese to replace him.
The official price for his transfer is yet to be revealed but the Stoke fans are excited by this addition. So what can Jese add to the squad at the club?
History and style of play
A product of the academy at Real Madrid, Jese Rodriguez broke into the senior side in 2011 but only established himself in the squad three years later. From 2013, he was a regular in the first team squad for Los Blancos and went on to make 63 senior appearances for the Champions of Europe, before he was shipped off to French side PSG at the start of the previous season.
The lack of consistency saw him sent out on loan back to La Liga with Las Palmas, where he showed enough promise to earn a move to England. He was close to joining Middlesbrough last summer but will now finally play in the Premier League.
A left-winger by trait, the 24-year old can also play in a central role and is known for his passing and dribbling abilities. A winger with a keen eye for goal, Jese is a natural winger who loves to take on his man but is also adept cutting in and creating chances for his side.
He has to work on his defensive duties and will be a liability in the air but his technique and ability to make things happen will be a welcome addition for the Potters.
Chances at Stoke
Hughes played a 3-4-3 system in the first game of the season and used Bojan and Shaqiri alongside Saido Berahino, who lead the attack. New buy Chupo-Moting, Ramadan Sobhi and Mame Diouf are the only stars who can play regularly on the wing and Jese is an upgrade on most of those names.
He is expected to walk into the first team and should start alongside Swiss international Shaqiri, adding fluidity, dynamism and versatility to Stoke’s attack. Both players complement each other pretty well and if Jese can adjust to the English conditions quickly, he is surely going to help Stoke’s productivity in front of goal, solving an impending problem from the previous season.
