Breaking News:Stoke Boss Weighs In on Million Manhoef Delivers Ideal Verdict

Million Manhoef met with Steven Schumacher this week after returning from another two-goal performance on international service to discuss how he can grow even further. The 22-year-old right winger has ten goals in his previous 17 club and international games, the last two of which helped the Netherlands qualify for the European Under-21 Championship. He had won at Plymouth and scored twice in a 5-0 victory against Middlesbrough just a few days before.

He will be one of the first names on the Stoke teamsheet when they face Oxford United tonight (12.30pm), but neither he nor his coaches are complacent.

Schumacher stated, “He’s a talented player.” We had a number of games before the January window when we arrived and discussed the type of player profile we had and how I envisioned the team. We didn’t have a left-footed attacking player, like I did at my former club, but rather a wide player who cuts in from the right side and can score from both outside and inside the box.

We brought this up with the recruitment staff at the time, and Million Manhoef was on their list. We went off and performed some research, watched some games, and reviewed his profile before deciding to buy him. I’m pleased that we did, and he’s proven himself to be an excellent player thus far. I still believe he can improve significantly.

He scored a few goals last season, and he’s off to a fantastic start this season, but I believe he has a lot of room for improvement in his game, and he’s a great kid. I just had him in my office, going over some paperwork with him. He wants to get better, and I have plenty of time for guys like that.”

Manhoef had risen up through the ranks at Vitesse Arnhem, and he saw a difference in culture in the Championship, so he set out to improve his durability and win more duels.

Schumacher stated, “He’s a good, laid-back character and a very popular member of the squad. He always smiles. Sometimes in training, you expect a little more from him and can remind him not to be sloppy, but that’s just us trying to raise the bar. Training here must be very different than it was at Vitesse. “But he’s fitted in incredibly well, and he appears to be loving football. That’s vital; if you’re happy with what you’re doing, you’ll be able to perform well on the field, and long may that continue.

He’s clever, nice, and comes from a good family. He comes into work and appears to like it. He’s perfect to work with, and those are the types of players you want to help and see advance in their careers, if possible reaching the top.”