Jack Butland has branded Stoke City’s transfer policy as farcical following their relegation from the Premier League at the weekend.
The Potters has given themselves a fighting chance of survival when they took the lead against Crystal Palace on Saturday, but second-half goals from James McArthur and Patrick van Aanholt ultimately ended their 10 year stay in the top flight.
Now, England goalkeeper Jack Butland has urged to club to conduct a full review of its transfer policy:
“There’s been transfers that aren’t even part of the squad for all kinds of reasons, whether it be discipline, whether it be lack of performance,” said Butland.
“You’ve got to look at that – what decisions are being made and the type of characters.”
He said midfielder Badou Ndiaye and defender Moritz Bauer, who joined in January, were “two positive signings”.
“But you look at others and they’re not even here to have an input. It’s not because they were playing at the top of their game, because if they were they’d be here,” he continued.
“Too many of the recent investments, and over the years are, completely unused and that’s unacceptable. So before anyone is signed and any changes happen that’s got to be looked at because it’s been farcical really.”
Stoke record signing Giannelli Imbula has spent the season on loan at Toulouse, Ibrahim Afellay hasn’t played since December, while summer signing Jese has barely featured at all.
Butland himself is widely expected to leave the bet365 stadium this summer, with Liverpool and newly promoted Wolves having been linked.
