Maurice Edu seemed like a good signing when Stoke City took the U.S. international off Glasgow Rangers’ books this summer. The 26-year-old midfielder called his Premier League switch a dream move, but to this point, the former number one Major League Soccer SuperDraft pick has failed to make an impact on Trent. With only one (substitute’s) appearance in league thus far, the move is starting to look like a step backwards, especially after the 26-year-old midfielder was left out of the Tony Pulis’s 18 for today’s match against Sunderland.
That decision was made despite Stoke starting three central midfielders. That means not only did Edu fail to beat out Charlie Adam, Steve N’Zonzi, and Dean Whitehead, he also couldn’t get onto the bench ahead of Wilson Palacios. True, the versatility of fullbacks Geoff Cameron and Marc Wilson means Pulis doesn’t have to carry many midfielders on the bench, but the bottom line remains the same. Edu is losing time to players he has the potential to beat out.
Choosing Charlie Adam is understandable, particularly considering how Pulis likes to play. Somebody who can hit a good long ball out of his own end may prove particularly valuable for Stoke. Steve N’Zonzi was underrated at Blackburn and does a pretty good impression of Maroune Fellaini (the defensive midfielder version). There’s no shame in losing out to a player who could find time at most clubs.
Dean Whitehead, however, is the concern. Whitehead’s a reliable but limited player, the exact type of midfielder Stoke should be looking to supplant. If you were highlighting places the team needs to improve, it’s on players like Whitehead - the type of dependable but unspectacular contributor that dooms Stoke to playing the style (and getting the results) they do. Lineup all the midfielders from the Championship and skip a rock across their domes and you’ll hit seven Dean Whiteheads before that pebble falls to ground.
It seemed like Edu was bought to transcend those limitations. Edu can be a more athletic, wider ranging, box-to-box option than Whitehead. When sitting on a leda, he can assume the destroyer’s role into which he’s so often pigeon-holed. Late in matches, Edu can serve as a third central defender. In theory, there’s no reason Edu shouldn’t be playing ahead of Dean Whitehead.
But until he can earn time on the field, this theory remains and untested hypothesis, part of a troubling second half of 2012 for the former Maryland standout. The downturn at Rangers forced him to move from Glasgow, while a bad second half foul conceded the U.S.'s qualifier in Kingston has seen him lose time with the national team. Unable to break into Tony Pulis’s gameday squad, it’s unclear when Edu will rebound.
If his time at Rangers is any indication, Edu will rebound. During his initial seasons in Glasgow, injuries kept the former Toronto FC star from making an impact. Eventually, Edu grew into one of the Gers’ most reliable options in the middle. Though his downturn at Stoke isn’t caused by injury, the same determination may be needed to claim a spot.
With FA and League Cup fixtures set to pile up in winter, Edu’s bound to get some chance, even if it’s only off the bench. All he has to do is impress.