CROUCH: WALTERS IS THE IDEAL MAN TO GIVE STOKE A BOOST
JON Walters has been tipped to excel as Stoke City technical director and even go on to bigger things in the world of football administration by a former bet365 Stadium team-mate.
Walters holds the post on an interim basis until the end of the season after being brought in to replace the sacked Ricky Martin last month.
There has been a distinct improvement in morale behind the scenes at the club since then, and even an upturn in Stoke’s fortunes on the pitch, although they remain dangerously close to the Championship relegation zone going into the key Easter programme.
But Peter Crouch, Walters’ fellow Stoke striker from the club’s Premier League years, is not surprised. He says it is the job Walters was always destined to do.
He told Rob Adcock on BBC Radio Stoke’s 8 Games To Go show: “He always wanted to be involved in some way in that kind of capacity, I think, upstairs if you like. He was always a student of the game, so it was always likely he was going to go on to do something involved in the game
“He was very much in with the FA and was always our [PFA] player rep. He was very good at it. He commanded respect.”
Asked if he thought Walters could have a big career in football administration, at Stoke or elsewhere, Crouch added: “Yes, I think he’ll do really well, and he’ll certainly be a big a help.”
Stoke’s battle to beat the drop next takes them to Hull City on Good Friday for a 3pm kick-off before a crunch game with relegation rivals Huddersfield Town at the bet365 Stadium on East Monday (3pm kickoff).
Stoke are offering supporters discounted tickets in order to attract a bumper crowd for the crunch game.
Friends and family of Stoke season ticket-holders can go to the April 1 game for the discounted price of £10 (£5 for concessions), according to the Potters’ website. But they need season ticket holders to pass on a special discount code they have been given by the club.
More information can be found at tickets.stokecityfc.com or by calling 01782 367 599.
Meanwhile, Stoke City striker Wesley Moraes has used the opportunity of the international break to head abroad and continue to work on his fitness in a different environment - and he’s been joined by his old Aston Villa teammate Diego Carlos. Carlos’ and Wesley’s
time at Villa overlapped briefly after the centre half joined in the summer of 2022, prior to Wesley heading to Levante on loan.
The striker then joined the Potters on a permanent basis last summer, just as Carlos had worked his way back from a serious Achilles injury which ruled him out until May. The pair clearly struck up a positive relationship during their time together at Villa as they’ve been away during this period and working on their fitness.
Carlos, aged 31, shared a video of himself and Wesley, 27, being
put through their paces, including working with weights, bikes and air runners but both appeared to be in positive moods despite the strenuous set of tasks put in front of them. Carlos proudly wore his Brazil top with his name and number on the back - he’s never won a senior cap but he did play in six games alongside Douglas Luiz as they claimed Olympic gold in Tokyo in 2021.
“No days off,” Carlos posted on social media. “I train with my partner Wesley during our days in Dubai, surround yourself with
people who inspire you to be better every day!”
Wesley has struggled at Stoke; the Potters in general are struggling, towards the bottom of the Championship and they’re far from safe from the threat of relegation. Wesley, signed during the tenure of Alex Neil and inherited by current manager Steven Schumacher, has played just 20 times this term. He’s featured just twice in 2024.
For Wesley, time is running out to make any sort of impression before his one-year contract expires at the end of the season.