Gary Rowett should make a statement of intent for next season by selling Peter Crouch.

The 37-year-old has been at Stoke for seven years since his £10 million transfer from Tottenham Hotspur. However, the time has come to thank him for his services and bid farewell.

Crouch has had a prolific career. As well as his 22 goals in 42 appearances for England, he has scored 106 times in the Premier League, including 44 at Stoke. In the 2017/18 season, he scored five times including winners against Southampton and Swansea. It made him the club’s third highest scorer of the season, despite making just 14 starts. There is no question that he has been a loyal servant to the club and has done them well in years gone by.

However, the Championship leaves little room for sentimentality. Fixtures come thick and fast, while defenders are more physical. Should Crouch stay at Stoke this season, his role would have to be as a squad player. Yet he would still be on first team level wages. Stoke will benefit from the parachute payments this season, but that does not mean they should not look to run a tight ship. Selling him would free up wages for a younger player who would be able to play a more prominent role in the season.

Crouch is a fan favourite and a club legend. Only Ryan Shawcross has been at the club longer. Yet if Stoke wish to secure promotion, they should put him out to pasture.

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