Million Manhoef finished the season in fine form for Steven Schumacher’s Stoke City. The manager will want to get the most out of him. Steven Schumacher’s Stoke City team enjoyed a positive end to the season, fighting their way away from relegation to League One with excellent wins over relegation candidates Plymouth Argyle, play-off contenders Southampton, and finally a 4-0 thrashing of Liam Manning’s Bristol City.
While there wasn’t much to celebrate for the former Premier League club, there were glimmers of promise at the close of the season that can be built upon for the next season. Given the club’s financial strength, promotion is expected, and there is one man who is demonstrating his ability to At this level, a real threat exists. One-in-a-million Manhoef saved Stoke City’s season.
Million Manhoef, a former Vitesse academy product, joined the Bet365 Stadium on 1 February 2024 for an undisclosed amount and signed a three-and-a-half-year contract. Despite a quiet start in England’s second level, he has subsequently demonstrated to Schumacher why he should be playing regular Championship games next season. The 22-year-old Dutch winger piqued the interest of everyone who saw him near the conclusion of the season, scoring all four of his Championship goals in the last six games.
The explosive run of form was arguably a big reason why Stoke managed to survive in the Championship, starting with his first goal against West Brom in the 68th minute to ignite a comeback that would rescue a point. The strike inside the box was done at exactly the right moment, cutting inside and placing the ball on the goalkeeper’s nearside, who was wrong-footed by the shot.
Manhoef’s second goal for Schumacher’s revitalised side came in an impressive victory against Plymouth. He found the back of the net in added time in the first half, shortly after teammate Ki-Jana Hoever got the first of the game. The ball found itself at Manhoef’s feet inside the D, before turning and smashing the ball hard and low into the bottom-right of the goal. The effort showed that the youngster has an impressive striking sense, which would continue for his brace against Bristol City.
He appears to have a terrific feel for the ball around halftime, as his third successful shot came just before the interval in a rout of Bristol City. He was involved in many of Stoke’s precise attacking plays, but he impressed the crowd with a magnificent effort into the top-left corner past goalie Max O’Leary.
His second-half finessed effort from 20 yards out confirmed him as a player to watch under Schumacher next season, as he stands out in an otherwise unimpressive side. Manhoef is a unique player for the Staffordshire-based club, perplexing defenders and appearing to be a continuous goal-scoring threat with a left foot that has looked miraculous in glimpses.
A man(hoef) to build around
This summer will see manager Schumacher’s first off-season transfer window to try and build his vision for the Potters. After being appointed on 19 December 2023, Schumacher made the Dutchman one of his first signings in January, alongside both Luke Cundle and Niall Ennis, who he’d worked with before.
Stoke have tried and failed with experienced attacking talent, having released former Newcastle striker Dwight Gayle after failing to deliver the “exceptional” Championship performances that were teased. Schumacher’s appointment is a clear sign of a pivot from the club towards signing younger players and developing them.
The right side is going to be a point of focus for Stoke going forward, with the Netherlands connection that has proven Manhoef’s link-up ability. Hoever and Manhoef have been formidable during the last few games of the season, so Schumacher will want to try and bring the former back to the club following his return to Wolves or recruit a strong supporting player for his young winger.
Manhoef has only been with Schumacher for a short time, with the manager recently stating that “he needs to go away in the summer, rest and recover, and then come back in a real good physical state because he needs to be able to produce that Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday-Tuesday”.
If he is to become a regular on the team, he must swiftly adjust to the demands of the Championship.
The club has already cut deadwood this summer, with the released and retained list indicating a significant overhaul for a team that was only a few match days away from League One football. If the club’s summer approach is successful, they’ll develop around prospects like Manhoef, who will almost certainly be
A significant aspect of the drive for the playoffs next season.
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