Stoke City have signed defender James Chester. The defender arrives on loan from Aston Villa for the remainder of the season. He arrives as Stoke’s second January signing.
Stoke Sign James Chester
James Chester is a Potter ?
The Wales international joins the Club on loan until the end of the season.#SCFC ?⚪
— Stoke City FC (@stokecity) January 31, 2020
The Deal
Stoke announced via their website they had signed the defender. Chester arrives on loan from Aston Villa for the remainder of the season. The Villa captain arrives seeking game time ahead of the Euros in the summer.
Chester has been at Villa since 2016 and has played an integral part in the club’s rise back to the Premier League. However, since the arrival of Dean Smith in October 2018, injuries have blighted his time meaning he has fallen down the pecking order.
He has been a terrific servant for Aston Villa and certainly, eyebrows are being raised as to why Villa are letting him leave. He has made over 100 appearances for Villa and took the captaincy in 2018 after John Terry left the club.
Dean Smith holds the defender in high regard but due to Villa’s change of system, Chester has dropped to fourth choice. He wants game time ahead of the Euros with Wales in the summer.
He will drop back to the Championship looking to ensure Stoke continue to pull clear of the relegation zone. Michael O’Neill has got Stoke motoring, but he still wants experienced campaigners to ensure Stoke avoid the drop.
Chester follows Jordan Thompson in joining Stoke and Michael O’Neill wants to add a couple more players to continue Stoke’s improving run of performances and results.
The defender is unlikely to be involved against Derby County this evening. His debut could be in their game against Charlton Athletic on the 8th of February.
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