Stoke City defender tipped to become 'really top player'

Junior Tchamadeu has the attributes to be a ‘really top player’ as he continues to progress at Stoke City. That’s the view of his teammate and close pal Eric Bocat, who knows first-hand what it’s been like to get a first taste of playing regularly in the Championship this season. Tchamadeu played 15 times in the league for Stoke last term when he was understudy to Ki-Jana Hoever but he has found his most consistent form so far in a simplified role under Mark Robins, with perhaps more traditional expectations of what is required from a right-back.

Robins has kept the same back four since Bocat returned to fitness to start a 1-0 win over Blackburn back on March 12 and in that run of six games Stoke have won three, drawn two and conceded four, which has been a marked improvement albeit with plenty of room for more. Bocat said: “I’m really happy for him because he’s my boy. He’s like my brother to be honest and I’m happy for Ash (Phillips) and Wilmo (Ben Wilmot) too.



I think you can see we have a good connection as a defensive line. “Junior has developed really well. There have been lots of games now when he’s been playing well.

I think it’s been really good for him as a player and as a person. I think he’s going to be a really top player. When I see his qualities, he’s strong defensively, offensively he’s good and we can see he can score now and assist.

I think he’s going to be good. “This is his first season playing regularly in the Championship and he’ll carry on getting better, I think.” Bocat, aged 25, is in a position in his career when he is still trying to learn from those around him with more experience – particularly in his own position, like Enda Stevens – and also pass on what he has been able to learn himself.

He was cited as a role model by Stoke’s 17-year-old Italy youth Laurence Giani. “I learn from everyone, whether they are younger or older,” he said. “I have a perfect example on my side in Enda Stevens, who has had a big career and loads of games as an international, winning promotion and playing in the Premier League with Sheffield United.

I like to inspire myself from those guys. “And it’s a task for everyone in the team to help younger players, as an example Junior, even if I am one of the younger of the older ones. With Laurence we sometimes talk about tactics and I’m really enjoying being able to help anyone.

” Stoke’s home game this afternoon against Sheffield Wednesday (3pm) is now on course to be the club’s highest home attendance since they were playing in the Premier League, with more than 28,000 tickets sold. Supporters have taken advantage of a cut-price offer to pack the stadium and try to haul Robins’ side towards Championship safety. Bocat said: “We didn’t want to be in this situation but now we have to play these games and win these games.

Of course playing under pressure is something I kind of like but I hope we can get away from it as soon as possible.” While you're here, we have launched a new WhatsApp group to deliver the latest Stoke news directly to your phone. Click on this link, select 'Join Chat' and you're in.

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