While Fulham currently teeter on the brink of the relegation zone Stoke City are in a comparatively comfortable position in 13th place. But they too are only four points above the drop zone as we head into the business end of the season.
Right now you have to fear for Fulham who have a new coach, who hasn’t lead a club in The Premier League before, and a string of roller coaster results which have the scent of a team in chaos.
As for Stoke, Mark Hughes has done what he always does – a solid if, arguably, unspectacular job.
But both Fulham and Stoke will be desperately looking for reinforcements during this window to consolidate their Premier League status come May. One player who we think would represent an absolutely brilliant solution is Tottenham midfielder Lewis Holtby. Holtby has been a peripheral member of the team since joining Tottenham and his outside chance of inclusion in the Germany World Cup squad is looking more fanciful by the day. Holtby needs games and he may well look to move in January.
We think Holtby is a seriously undervalued player – a super little footballer who knits things together really well with his energy and quality passing. His 3 caps for Germany amply reflects his potential.
Holtby may well look for a move back to Germany during the window. But if a Premier League club showed some serious interest then perhaps he could be tempted to remain on these shores.
Accordingly Bet Victor have ‘any German club’ as odds on to take him back to his homeland before February 1st. But, then come Stoke at 8/1 second favourites for his signature. At 16/1 Fulham sit as third favourites to snare Holtby in January.
From the player’s point of view it’s really a question of where he thinks he will get most football at this point. He was only ever an outside bet to get into the Germany squad for Brazil but if he has a blinding second half of the season in the Premier League he can only improve his chances.
Let’s have a look at the lad in action. Stoke and Fulham fans, would this guy be a worthy addition to the side?
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mark atkinson
Jan 20, 2014 at 7:23 pm
He was a palace game. We need someone in middle to replace Whelan or nzonzi. We need to pass the ball forward