A new contract for Harry Souttar: Could he be the key that unlocks the Premier League door for Stoke City in the not too distant future?

Last week Stoke City stalwart Harry Souttar signed a new contract that will see him remain in the Potteries until 2025.

The Australia international has arguably been City’s best player this campaign and his signature epitomises the fantastic job that Michael O’Neill has done.

Ever since his appointment 16 months ago, the Northern Irish boss has set a strong focus upon blooding the younger players at his disposal into the first team. Ten players from City’s first team squad are aged 21 and under, which epitomises the progress that has been made.

Stoke finished last season with an ageing, uninspired squad that were not capable of being a solid Championship side, never mind a promotion-hunting behemoth. However, this term’s blend of youth and experience has seen the Potters become a much more exciting prospect.

Despite not meeting the expectations set by an ever-demanding fanbase, as his side currently sit six points off the play-offs, O’Neill has still maintained a solid trajectory whilst at the helm in Staffordshire.

He wanted to establish Stoke as a solid Championship side capable of finishing in the top half – with perhaps one eye on the top six. The 51-year-old boss stated: “We’re a club in transition.”

“The club are still suffering from their early seasons in the Championship and the last season in the Premier League.”

He added, “You have no divine right because you have been in the Premier League just to step back into it.”

The main reason why City are slowly transitioning into the promotion contenders that the fans desire is due mostly to the array of youth talent that has been nurtured by O’Neill– most notably Harry Souttar.

Even though most of the plaudits have gone in the directions of injured talisman Tyrese Campbell and Burnley’s failed January acquisition Nathan Collins, Souttar’s rise has been gradual and predominantly unrecognised outside of ST4.

After progressing through the ranks at Scottish outfit Dundee United, Souttar was snapped up by Stoke in 2016. He first impressed for the Potters’ under 23s cohort and proved to be key throughout their journey to the semi-finals of the FA Youth Cup.

He made his first team debut when he was called upon as a 19-year-old during the final few minutes of City’s League Cup rout at Rochdale.

Following more impressive displays for the youth team, the tall defender earnt himself a loan move to Joey Barton’s Fleetwood Town in January 2019.

Once the deal expired in the summer, Barton demanded Souttar’s services once more as he aimed to propel Fleetwood into the Championship. The future Stoke star guided the Cod Army to a play-off spot before the season was terminated due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Souttar ranked amongst the best defenders statistically in the third tier. He made an average of 5.4 clearances per game as well as 5.6 successful aerial duels. His scintillating spell in Lancashire saw Souttar win the EFL Young Player of the Month award in February 2020.

After proving to his parent club that he had both the technical and leadership qualities that they desired, he was given a chance at the Bet365 stadium.

The 22-year-old’s chance to impress in red and white didn’t come immediately. Michael O’Neill experimented with an abundance of his younger players throughout Stoke’s League Cup adventure last year.

His trust in the youth paid dividends as the Potters stormed their way into the quarter final – beating Premier League pair Wolves and Aston Villa away from home in the process.

Souttar emerged from this run with the most plaudits, alongside fellow teammate Nathan Collins; however, it was the former who obtained the all-important first team spot at centre-half.

The Australian has played in every game he’s been eligible for since his illustrious Carabao Cup performances; he has only been absent for four games since the triumph at Villa Park – due to his two-week period of self-isolation.

Furthermore, Souttar has maintained the impressive form shown at Fleetwood and hasn’t faltered during his step-up to the second tier. His number of clearances and successful aerial duels have remained consistent, and he has also made just over 2.5 tackles/interceptions per 90 this season.

With his lucrative new contract having just been signed, Harry Souttar could hopefully persuade Stoke City’s other younger talent to follow suit – bringing Potters fans’ Premier League dreams one step closer to becoming reality.

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