Tom Cannon, who completed a deadline-day loan deal from Leicester, is gearing up to make his Stoke City debut following the international break. Though he had several of suitors, he expects to work closely with Steven Schumacher, who has been pursuing him throughout the summer.
However, what can Stoke anticipate from the Republic of Ireland center-forward, age 21? The player at the top of the Potters’ shopping list has been revealed by Jordan Blackwell, a writer for LeicestershireLive.
With all of the qualities you would look for in a number nine, Cannon has all the makings of a great striker. He has the pace to win the races, hits the final man’s shoulder, and timed his runs perfectly. Because of his strength, he won’t be pushed off the ball when running through.
He also had excellent poise on a few of his Leicester goals, capping one-on-one opportunities with a clinical finish that either involved moving around the goalie or placing the ball past him. He can provide some serious venom with his strokes and smashes the ball with extreme cleanness.
His ability to connect plays when he drops deep and receives the ball to feet is one area where he still has to grow. He relinquished possession in those situations far too frequently. Furthermore, rather than playing a straightforward pass, he occasionally holds onto the ball for too long in an attempt to find a window for a shot.
However, the main reason for his weakness is that he doesn’t do the right things enough.
Leicester had enough options up front by the conclusion of the window to make Cannon unnecessary. They have Jordan Ayew, who can also operate there, Jamie Vardy, Patson Daka, and Odsonne Edouard, whom they signed on deadline day.
But it appeared as though Cannon would be leaving before Edouard and Ayew arrived. Although he lacks experience, his profile is comparable to that of Vardy and Daka, so he didn’t bring anything new to Leicester that wasn’t already there.
It was inevitable that Cannon would be referred to as “the next Vardy” because he is a Leicester striker who plays off the shoulder of the last player. However, he was among the athletes he attempted to watch a lot of as a child.
During their analysis sessions in Everton’s academy, young players would first view videos of players they aspired to be like and then themselves from past games. Vardy and Luis Suarez were Cannon’s selections.
In response to a question over Cannon succeeding Vardy as heir, Maresca declared, “I would be happy with 50% of Jamie!”
