Although things could have been quite different for the Potters, whose supporters will be happy to see another campaign come to an end, Stoke City’s spot in the EFL Championship for the upcoming season is guaranteed.

It’s approaching the end of another Championship season, and for Stoke, it’s just another disappointing one.

Given that they showed early in the season that they could compete for the top spot in the standings, this season will likely be the most frustrating for them since their relegation from the Premier League in 2018.

But things have really slowed down in the Potteries; only Sheffield Wednesday has scored fewer points in the previous 30 games than Stoke; in the end, their strong start to the season has been the only thing keeping them afloat.

Mark Robins, the manager, will cite a number of reasons for this failure, most likely none more significant than the injuries that have plagued his team more than most.

Due to injury, 18-year-old defender Pijus Otegbayo was recently forced into the backline to make his professional debut. Syd Agina has also filled in at right-back.

However, goalkeeper Viktor Johansson’s injury may have been their most detrimental, since Stoke has made their position on the Swedish international clear ahead of any summer interest.

This summer, Stoke City will require a sizable offer to let go of Viktor Johansson.

Even when he played for Rotherham United, Johansson was considered one of the Championship’s top goalkeepers.

Due to a release provision in his contract, he would depart the Millers to join the Potters in the summer of 2024 for a fee that might reach slightly over £1 million. Since then, he has been one of the team’s most significant players.

According to FotMob, the Swede stopped 10.3 goals from being scored last season, second only to Burnley’s James Trafford, who is currently with Manchester City. His goalkeeping efforts were crucial to Stoke’s survival.

When a shoulder injury he suffered against Sheffield United in late December necessitated surgery, he appeared to be on track to reach a similar total this season. Consequently, he has missed nearly the whole second half of the season.

Due to the 27-year-old’s absence, Gavin Bazunu signed on loan from Southampton in the winter to add extra competition, while Tommy Simkin was brought up from his loan at Leyton Orient after Jack Bonham was sold to Bolton Wanderers.

After just one game, Bazunu unexpectedly sustained an injury during training, forcing Simkin to return to the starting lineup for a number of games prior to the Irishman’s comeback.

After a challenging stint with Southampton in the first half of the season, Bazunu was given permission to leave after Daniel Peretz arrived. However, since then, he has not performed up to par, contributing to goals against Wrexham and Millwall before making an early return to the Saints.

For Stoke, who are doomed to their seventh straight bottom-half finish, Johansson appears to be in line to return for the season’s final match against Bristol City, but it’s too little, too late.

As Johansson approaches the last year of his contract, Pete Smith of the Stoke Sentinel claims that it would require a “hefty bid to wrench him away” from the Potteries this summer. His contract allegedly includes a one-year extension option, which is vital for Stoke and will almost definitely be used sooner rather than later.

In terms of output and character, Robins’ team will find it nearly impossible to replace Johansson, and they will be doing everything in their power to fend off expected interest this summer.

The Swede may believe he is entitled for a chance to play in the Premier League because he will turn 28 at the start of the upcoming season, and few would contest that he has earned that chance.

Keeping him healthy and in goal is crucial, therefore Stoke must be merciless and consider their own interests. Only a massive offer would be sufficient to entice him away from the Potteries this summer.

When it comes to Viktor Johansson’s transfer scenario this summer, Mark Robins needs to remain unwavering.

Despite their terrible run of form, relegation has never really threatened Stoke this season, therefore attention will have long since shifted to the summer at the bet365 Stadium.

Robins will be laying out his team’s goals for the upcoming season, and choices will need to be made for players whose contracts are about to expire this summer.

The former Coventry City manager will know exactly who he anticipates leaving the team during the transfer window and what has to be improved.

Despite Stoke’s recent success, the 56-year-old has never faced pressure in his position. He will probably be the one to guide them into the upcoming season, where he will be looking for a quick start once more, but this time to maintain that form.

In any case, Stoke will have a busy summer ahead of them. Their most important task will probably be to hold onto their finest players, like Johansson, with whom they need to be adamant.