Scott Parker is available for around £8 million, which in this climate is not an exorbitant amount of money. For that, Spurs or Chelsea would get a level-headed and hard-working man who would slot into either team environment.
But the question would remain whether he would be able to oust the incumbents from their position in order to make a move to either London club worthwhile.
Have no fear: Parker's problems may be over, because the latest club to join the race for the midfielder may turn out to be the best fit: Stoke City.
While the Potters may not be as fashionable as Spurs or Chelsea, they are in Europe – almost through to the group stages in the seemingly interminable Europa League after their two legged victory over Hajduk Split – and are on the up under manager Tony Pulis.
They have long been regarded as one of the ugly sisters in the Premier League, a team which likes to boot, rather than pass their way out of trouble, but this is unfair. And with the addition of Parker, they could introduce yet more midfield guile.
Parker was close to a one-man team at West Ham last season, providing service for strikers Victor Obinna and Carlton Cole and when he found them wanting, he ran into scoring positions himself. He even did half-time team talks.
But at Stoke, he would not need to be all players to all people. be flanked by the likes of Dean Whitehead and Matthew Etherington, both industrious players in their own right.
West Ham would like to keep Parker, of course, but they also have a pressing need to reduce their outgoings, now they are in the Championship. A loan move has been mooted, because the Hammers are looking to bounce straight back to the top flight.
And for Parker himself, he would like to get his future sorted as soon as possible – preferably before he has to play Cardiff on Sunday. But although Stoke are unlikely to tie up a deal that quickly, surely the player and both clubs will see that it makes sense.
No comments:
Post a Comment