Stoke City now appear set to remain in the Championship for another season, as their chances of finishing in the play-off positions have effectively disappeared following a poor run of results in recent months. Despite this disappointment, the campaign has still marked a level of progress under manager Mark Robins, who is completing his first full season in charge at the bet365 Stadium. While the team has arguably improved compared to last season, the sense of frustration among supporters may be even greater this time due to the early promise that ultimately faded.
At the beginning of the season, Stoke made an impressive start by winning their first three matches consecutively. They also competed strongly against teams like Coventry City and Middlesbrough, raising hopes that they could secure a place in the top six and challenge for promotion. However, those expectations have steadily declined as their form worsened significantly. Since early December, the team has managed to win only four out of 17 league matches, causing them to fall not just out of the play-off race but also away from the top half of the table entirely.
One of the major contributing factors to this downturn has been a series of injuries to key players throughout the squad. Several important figures, including Viktor Johansson, Junior Tchamadeu, Lewis Baker, Divin Mubama, Robert Bozenik, and Ben Wilmot, have all missed parts of the season. These absences have disrupted team consistency and made it more difficult for Stoke to maintain their earlier momentum.
Among those injuries, the loss of Ben Wilmot has been particularly significant. The defender is ruled out for the remainder of the season, which represents a major setback for the team. As a result, manager Mark Robins faces an important decision ahead of the summer regarding Wilmot’s future at the club, as there is a real possibility that he may have already played his final match for Stoke if no agreement is reached.
With the season drawing to a close, Stoke must begin making key decisions regarding player contracts, and Wilmot’s situation is one of the most crucial. Having started his career in the academy at Stevenage, Wilmot moved to Watford in 2018. During his time there, he gained experience through loan spells with Udinese in Italy and Swansea City in Wales, before playing an important role in helping Watford achieve promotion to the Premier League in 2021. However, he did not go on to establish himself in the top flight and instead joined Stoke City shortly afterward for a fee reported to be between £1.5 million and £2 million.
Since arriving at Stoke, Wilmot has become a key figure in the squad, spending five years with the club and making nearly 200 appearances in all competitions. This season, particularly in its early stages, he delivered some outstanding performances. Alongside defensive partners such as Bosun Lawal or Ashley Phillips, he helped form one of the strongest defensive units in the Championship.
Wilmot’s current contract is due to expire this summer, although Stoke do have the option to extend it by an additional year. While it seems likely that the club will activate this clause, it would be a more sensible long-term strategy to offer him a completely new contract. Doing so would secure his future at the club beyond just one more season and demonstrate a commitment to keeping one of their most experienced and reliable players.
At 26 years old, Wilmot is entering the peak years of his career and remains one of Stoke’s most consistent performers. Reports suggest he earns around £20,000 per week, placing him among the club’s higher earners, but this reflects both his importance to the team and his longevity at the club. Allowing a player of his quality to leave for free would represent a significant loss, both in terms of performance and potential transfer value.
Even if Stoke choose to extend his contract by one year, there is still the risk that Wilmot could run down that deal and leave for free the following summer. This is a scenario the club must avoid, especially given their history of struggling to generate strong transfer fees from player sales. By the time that extension expires, Wilmot would be 27 and firmly in his prime, making it even more important for Stoke to either secure his long-term future or protect his value in the transfer market.
Given his importance to the team and his extensive contribution over nearly 200 appearances, Mark Robins will likely be eager to ensure Wilmot remains at the club. Reaching an agreement on a new contract should therefore be a top priority, as Stoke aim to build stability and avoid repeating past mistakes in player management.
