Stoke City: Sorensen's Stoke future in doubt
THOMAS Sorensen has raised a major question mark over his future at Stoke City after revealing his frustration over the terms of his current contract.
Stoke's former number one keeper wants his present deal re-negotiated because he is losing out financially while playing second fiddle to Asmir Begovic.
-
Thomas Sorensen
But Sorensen, who lost his Premier League place to Begovic last October, doesn't appear to hold out much hope of getting an improved deal.
So that appears to leave the 34-year-old international saying "play me or sell me" to Stoke.
Business Cards From Only £10.95 Delivered www.myprint-247.co.uk
View detailsOur heavyweight cards have FREE UV silk coating, FREE next day delivery & VAT included. Choose from 1000's of pre-designed templates or upload your own artwork. Orders dispatched within 24hrs.
Terms: Visit our site for more products: Business Cards, Compliment Slips, Letterheads, Leaflets, Postcards, Posters & much more. All items are free next day delivery. www.myprint-247.co.uk
Contact: 01858 468192
Valid until: Sunday, May 26 2013
Sorensen said: "When I signed my latest contract at Stoke, it was from the perspective that I was the starting keeper.
"We agreed my salary combined with a bonus based on performances.
"Since I have not been playing much in the Premier League lately, the outcome has been a wage cut.
"I am not interested in a reduced salary, so that is right now a matter of negotiations.
"It has not been easy to open dialogue with Stoke, but I am not interested in the same wage structure if I don't get the chance to play.
"All I can hope for is dialogue, but in truth there is not much I can do to change matters.
"I have been in this game for so many years and I know how things work.
"I find it of utmost importance to get more minutes playing this coming season."
That appears to leave Sorensen open to offers from elsewhere as he enters the final year of his existing contract with Stoke.
A popular and regular member of the Stoke team surviving their first two seasons in the Premier League, the former Sunderland and Aston Villa keeper has largely been restricted since last autumn to appearances in the club's historic run to the FA Cup final.
Although the Potters were 1-0 losers to Manchester City at Wembley, Sorensen was arguably their man-of-the-match after making a series of world-class saves.
His failure to hold down a regular starting place at Stoke could also threaten his international aspirations with Denmark.
But Sorensen remains their first choice for now after winning his 95th cap and skippering his country during Saturday's Euro 2012 qualifying win in Iceland.
Martin Smith: Page 47
Comments
by gungfu01
Friday, June 10 2011, 11:23PM
“Sorensen is a top keeper, and to let him go would be a big mistake. Over the past few seasons he has saved this team and no doubt kept us in the prem with his form. just look at his penalty record for one, yes Begovic is also a good keeper and has also played his part, I dont know why but feel easyer when Sorensen is between the sticks. he seems to command the back line better and his experince shows more. Between them they both make mistakes but who's perfect. I say do what you can stoke to keep Sorensen at at our club....”
by reallynotsure
Friday, June 10 2011, 10:04PM
“Thomas is an experienced and valuable member of our squad
We certainly wouldn't have made it to the FA Cup final without him and his performance at Wembley showed that he is still a top class goalkeeper.
Many of the top clubs have goalkeepers who still perform at the highest level in their mid to late 30s and I think that it would be a mistake to let him go.
I understand his frustration but competition for this position(and indeed for all team places) is healthy and I feel that he should have more chances in the league fixtures.
The comments made by Bradder 14 have some merit
In Europe, his experience will be very beneficial to our team, lets hope that he is able to stay.”
by reallynotsure
Friday, June 10 2011, 9:57PM
“Thomas is an experienced international player who can still offer a lot to the club.
Goalkeepers play into their late 30s at the highest level, there's no reason why he can't do the same and it would be a great loss if he moves on.
His performances during our FA Cup campaign have both helped us get to the final and gave us a fighting chance v Manchester City!
The comments made by Bradder14 are worth serious consideration”
by Pottedrengen
Friday, June 10 2011, 11:26AM
“Thomas makes silly mistakes too but they're getting fewer as his grows on his expereince.He's also a much better organiser of the defencer than Begovic and communicates better with them. It would be very sad if Stoke was to lose him, but at his age he's too good just to be sitting idle.”
by Potterspeil
Thursday, June 09 2011, 7:44PM
“Soro ain't let us down and it is a healthy situation to be in having someone of his experience alongside Begovic.I would pay him his worth and his experience showed in our FA Cup exploits.Begs is still prone to the odd mistake and is not as commanding in the area as Soro just yet.So he is an ideal foil to keep Begs on his toes? We don't need to go out and spend on this position if we make Soro happy.”
by Bernwa
Thursday, June 09 2011, 4:20PM
“Combine the comments of Latthink and Hadis53 and we have the right answer.
Best wishes Thomas!”
by 1potterglen
Thursday, June 09 2011, 7:10AM
“Time for a clear out, its a poor day at the office when a Premiership quality goalkeeper is allowed to leave because of money. Too many fringe and old players remain on the books who frankly aren't up to the Premiership, Sidibe, Fuller, Delap, Pugh, Tonge, Diao, Collins.
Multiply and average of £25k a week by 7 = £175 a week! There isn't another club in the Premiership who would field any of these players so why does Pulis give them anything other than a rolling 1year contract? Diao was offered a coaching contract last season but somehow came away with a playing contract. Fuller renegotiated his contract last year with one year still to run and was given an additional year! What a waste of money, its time the club was run as a business instead of allowing personal sentiment rule the purse strings.”
by Bradder14
Wednesday, June 08 2011, 6:16PM
“They both bring different qualities to the Stoke side - Sorensen with his experience, as a first team keeper and in the premier league, and Begovic has time on his side to progress and become better still. I think they should both be on the same salary until their is a clear difference between who deserves to start every game, and who should be on the bench.”
by Latthink
Wednesday, June 08 2011, 4:20PM
“There is little to choose re their goalkeeping ability and both are equally important to the team. SO BOTH PLAYERS SHOULD RECEIVE THE SAME SALARY.
This wouls surely cut out all moaning!.”
by Hadis53
Wednesday, June 08 2011, 11:58AM
“Sorensen probably did enough during our Cup runs to justify regaining his place in the starting line up. Even if he remains the second choice, we need to keep him next season if we are to have any hopes in the Cups or Europe.
If he were a clear second choice goalkeeper he should be on a reduced salary, but the fact is he is every bit as good as Begovic, if not better.”