Is Juventus striker the answer to Stoke’s goal woes?
Published:
Stoke manager Mark Hughes could be set for a January swoop on Juventus in order to inject some much needed goal threat to his ailing Stoke side.
The Potters have scored a measly 11 goals in the Premier League this term, with West Brom and even hapless Aston Villa beating that total.
Of Stoke’s eight recognised forwards, Peter Odemwingie, Joselu, Peter Crouch and Xherdan Shaqiri have failed to find the back of the net, while Marko Arnautovic, Mame Biram Diouf, Jonathan Walters and Bojan have combined to score all 11 of the Potters’ goals.
None of those off the mark has more than three goals, however, despite all playing at least 10 games and Hughes hopes to inject some competition with the signing of Simone Zaza.
The 24-year-old has struggled for first team action since joining Juve in the summer but has still bagged two goals in his seven appearances.
The Old Lady were persuaded to shell out for the hit man after seeing him reach double figures in successive seasons for Sassuolo and Hughes will hope a run of games will see a return to that form.
According to Transfermrkt.com, the Italian is valued at around £7m, a price that is unlikely to deter Hughes as he goes in search of a top 10 finish.
The Potters’ goal problems are unlikely to be resolved this weekend with Manchester City the visitors to the Britannia Stadium.
The host are billed as the 15/4 underdogs, with City available at 4/6 and the draw priced up at 14/5.
Should the manager see his strikers fail to even threaten the Citizens’ goal a move for Zaza will look increasingly likely.
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