3 players Stoke City could look to sign before the transfer window deadline including this Derby star

3 players Stoke City can sign before the transfer window ends

Stoke City are off to a poor start in the brand new Championship campaign as they were beaten 3-1 by Leeds United at Elland Road.

It was a dream start to life for Leeds under Marcelo Bielsa but not the same could be said about Stoke under Gary Rowett. Stoke were beaten by Leeds’ intensity, vigour and dynamism that should have served as an eye-opener for Rowett.

The loss at Elland Road asks for more quality in the side, despite the Stoke squad consisting of fewer internationals and Premier League proven players.

Business must be done over the next few days to balance the squad. If Stoke are serious about automatic promotion this season, they need to improve and add a couple of players before the transfer window slams shut. Keeping that in mind, here are three players Rowett can bring to Bet365 Stadium.

1. Jonas Knudsen (Ipswich Town)

One area Rowett must address is the left-back position, with Erik Pieters lacking the dynamism and pace to cope up with the Championship demands week in and week out.

Bearing in mind the problems in defence, Stoke could do a brilliant job by signing Ipswich Town’s full-back Jonas Knudsen. Knudsen, a left-back, has played over 100 games for Ipswich after his arrival from Esbjerg fB in 2015.

The 25-year-old, who was part of the Denmark squad for the World Cup this summer, is renowned for his long throws and lung-busting runs. Quick, aggressive and powerful in the attack, Knudsen assisted seven goals in 42 Championship starts for Ipswich the last term.

2. Ethan Ampadu (Chelsea)

Highly-rated starlet Ethan Ampadu joined Chelsea from Exeter City in 2017. He was handed his Premier League debut last December against Huddersfield Town. The teenager played seven times for the Blues in his debut season in all competitions.

Now with Maurizio Sarri at the helm and following the summer acquisition of Jorginho, Ampadu could have less game time for Chelsea this season. It would be best for him to secure a loan move to continue his development.

Stoke must target the Welsh-born Ghanaian as the 17-year-old could be a really exciting addition. Ampadu is a calm, assured presence in the middle of the park and he could provide Rowett with solid depth in the midfield.

3. Matej Vydra (Derby County)

Stoke’s opening Championship game against Leeds highlighted the need for a couple of signings before the window slams shut this week. The Potters are lacking a clinical goal-scorer despite the squad boasting Premier League proven strikers.

The Championship side needs to act fast and Rowett’s side would do well to sign Matej Vydra from Derby County.

Read more: Stoke City have struck gold with the signing of this experienced Premier League veteran

Vydra was the Championship’s top-scorer last season with 21 goals. He has proven himself in the second tier and his capture would be a massive coup for Stoke before the window ends.