Stoke’s Wollscheid ‘worst defender in Prem history’

Philipp Wollscheid has been labelled the worst defender in Premier League history by ex-Stoke City centre back Gerry Taggart, who is concerned by the Potters’ defensive record this season.

Despite a series of better defensive displays of late, Mark Hughes’ side have still conceded 17 goals in 10 league games and have shipped four in three separate games.

Wollscheid joined Stoke in 2015 but was loaned out ahead of this season to German side Wolfsburg after an underwhelming 18 months in the Potteries.

And Taggart, who played for Stoke between 2003-06 and spent two seasons under renowned defensive coach Tony Pulis, says his old side have major problems despite being impressed with manager Hughes.

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“Mark is a very good and experienced manager and one thing I have really liked about his management of Stoke is that he didn’t just come in and change the mentality of the team overnight and instead has changed the style of play to how he wants it to be bit by bit,” he said,

“This season has been a bit of a struggle for him and it seems they are finally turning a corner with results but, when I think of Stoke, I think of a team that is built on a solid defensive unit.

“Stoke are really struggling at centre half this season, especially when you look at the goals they’ve conceded.

“They’ve bought in a European influx of defenders, who are just not the same type of defenders as Ryan Shawcross and Robert Huth.

“Philipp Wollscheid is the worst defender I’ve ever seen in the Premier League, so I wasn’t surprise to see him get loaned out.”