Pete Smith’s talking points from Stoke City’s second friendly of the summer as Bae Junho and Sol Sidibe catch the eye in a 5-0 thrashing of Cork but Josh Laurent and Ben Gibson miss out
Though there will be more difficult tests ahead, 17-year-old Sol Sidibe played coolly and elegantly in the middle of midfield against Cork in the second half. He was athletic, dictated the pace, and made good passes.
With a stellar past at this club, there are a lot of expectations for the young player. What a prospect Stoke has on their hands. After signing his first professional contract earlier this month, he has emerged as a new signing.
At this point in his career, Sidibe won’t be expected to play every minute, but he is ready to seize the opportunity, and the next few months will be entertaining to watch. He will require the proper support in that midfield.
Ben Wilmot and the 17-year-old son of England legend Viv Anderson were starting lineup choices, with Ben Gibson sitting out the match due to a back injury. He doesn’t appear to be seventeen; instead, he is a big boy who will gain weight over the coming years as he advances. Inside theteam, he is highly regarded, so acquiring him last summer when he left Manchester City
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