Why we’re excited about Stoke’s new boy Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting
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Stoke City love a big name signing.
Whether it be Marko Arnautovic in 2013, Bojan from Barcelona in 2014 or Xherdan Shaqiri from Inter Milan in 2015, the Potters can’t get enough of that continental flair.
It should come as no surprise, then, that the Staffordshire club have snapped up winger Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting on a free transfer after his contract expired at Schalke 04.
Here’s why we like Stoke’s new arrival…
He has pedigree
The Cameroonian has made over 100 starts in the Bundesliga and scored 42 goals.
That’s not a bad record at any rate.
But playing for Hamburg, Mainz and most recently Schalke, Choupo-Moting has gained valuable experience on the biggest stage.
Last season the 28-year-old featured in the Europa League, while in 2014 he played a key part as Schalke were narrowly beaten 5-4 on aggregate by Real Madrid in the last-16 of the Champions League.
On top of that he’s made 29 appearances for his national side, including having played in two World Cups and one African Cup of Nations tournament.
As Harry Redknapp might say, the boy has talent.
His stats hold up
We know that stats aren’t the be all and end all.
But Choupo-Moting’s record is more than decent.
For a club similar in stature to Stoke – Mainz – the 6ft 3in forward hit 10 goals in two consecutive seasons, averaging just over a goal every three games.
That may not seem great, but for a club that back in 2009 was establishing itself in the Bundesliga, it represents a decent return.
For Stoke, in a more physical league that will play to his strengths, the Hamburg-born forward should finally eclipse that tally and solve City’s striking woes.
Cameroonians in the Premier League
Footballers from Cameroon have had a mixed time of it in the Premier League.
Clinton N’Jie, Eyong Enoh Timothee Atouba?
Best left forgotten.
Joseph Desire-Job, Geremi and the late Marc-Vivien Foe on the other hand, all left an indelible mark on the division.
A powerful forward like Choupo-Moting should have no trouble in joining the latter list of names that have shone in England’s top division.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
