Was hot property just a few years ago, but if he departs for Rangers this summer, Potters fans will not be overly bothered.
In 2017, a teenage Stoke City talent named Tyrese Campbell featured in the Career Mode element of the popular football video game series FIFA, with the striker having a potential rating of 84 in the 2018 edition of the game.
However, six years later, the striker has yet to reach his prospective game rating or the promise he previously showed in the real world.
The son of former West Brom and Leicester City striker Kevin Campbell is having his worst season in front of goal since his breakthrough in the second half of the 2017-17 season.
Campbell presently has two goals in all competitions for Stoke City, one of which came in the league.
So, with his contract at the Bet365 Stadium set to end this summer, most Stoke fans may believe they won’t miss Campbell if he moves north of the border to Scotland, where Rangers are rumoured to be interested in the left-footed attacker.
The kid probably made his breakthrough at the right time, with his debut coming at the end of the season, when the Potters were relegated from the Premier League in 2017-18.
This was an ideal opportunity for the teenager to press his claim to become the striker who would propel Stoke back to the top flight.
Campbell began the following season by making few appearances but scoring his first two goals for his hometown club, before taking on a six-month loan spell at League One club Shrewsbury Town, where he scored only five goals but helped Salop to League One safety.
Then, in the summer of 2019, Nathan Jones finally believed in the young striker, and Tyrese repaid him with nine goals in all competitions as Stoke failed to establish a campaign for promotion back to the Premier League, despite the COVID-19 suspension.
Since this breakthrough, Campbell hasn’t scored more than 10 league goals in any of his seasons, and after missing part of the current season due to injury, he may have disappointed most Potters fans, given that they once thought he would be the man to propel them back to the top flight.
In the middle of March, BBC Radio Stoke spoke with two Potters fans to get their thoughts on Campbell’s contract situation and the legacy – if any – he may leave at Stoke if he leaves this summer, with both expressing that it may be best for all parties if the two part ways at the end of June.
Angela Smith told reporter Rob Adcock, “Of all the people we’ve had who have looked like prolific finishers, he will be the most disappointing in my lifetime.”
“If there’s a 50/50 ball and he doesn’t think he’s going to win it, he’ll gently let the other player grab it rather than breaking his leg.
“I’m not going to compare him to Keith Scott, but in terms of ability, it just hasn’t occurred for him.
“My thoughts are he’s probably spoken to several clubs, and he’s pretty sure about where he may be going, but it would be good for him to go out on a high” .
Fellow supporter Andrew Beechey expressed his opinion, adding, “I personally don’t think he should be a priority for re-signing. There are undoubtedly better players available for a lower price.
“Sometimes a name can end up costing you money, can’t it?”
Rangers, one of Scottish football’s giants, have long admired Campbell, and this summer’s interest is not the first time they have considered signing the striker.
Sky Sports reported in 2020 that the Gers and Old Firm rivals Celtic were interested in signing the then-21-year-old.
However, the striker ended up renewing his deal with Stoke and staying until this summer.
With his contract position uncertain, Football Insider exclusively revealed in February that the Gers have reignited their previous interest, which followed a late January transfer deadline offer from Italian club Hellas Verona, which was rejected.
Philippe Clement will return Wolves loanee Fabio Silva to Molineux this summer, and Campbell might be a strong replacement for the Portuguese forward due to his versatility and ability to play anywhere in the front three.
Whatever the outcome of Campbell’s issue, the fact that he failed to live up to his promise and was unable to lead Stoke City back to the top flight of English football will ensure that fans are not overly disappointed by his departure.
However, the fact that he will be leaving on a It’s hugely sad that the free move isn’t for the millions that most people expected years ago.
