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Viktor Johansson deserves to lead Stoke City out as captain, says Mark Robins, as he insists the move is not a demotion for Ben Wilmot. Johansson has filled in as deputy captain previously and, having fought back from four months out with a shoulder injury, signed a new contract and represented the club at a World Cup, he has been handed the armband as skipper this season. The 27-year-old marked the promotion with a clean sheet featuring a brilliant double save in a 2-0 opening day Carabao Cup first round win over Oldham Athletic. He is now preparing for a Championship first day at home against Swansea on Saturday. Wilmot was named team captain last summer and Robins believes the honour has helped him in the next stage of his career. There is strong competition at centre-half this season and Bosun Lawal and Luke Graham have started the season in the middle while Wilmot, aged 26, covers injured Junior Tchamadeu at right-back. Stoke triggered a 12-month contract extension to keep him for this term and he is expected to remain a big part of Robins’ plans. FOLLOW OUR FACEBOOK PAGE! Latest Stoke City news, analysis and more via the Sentinel Ben Gibson, who was named club captain two years ago, has been short of game time. The 33-year-old only started seven league games last season and stayed on the bench on Saturday. Johansson joined Stoke from Rotherham in 2024 and played every league minute until he suffered a fracture in late December. He returned to fitness for the final game of the campaign and Stoke’s keeper department stayed to work with him at Clayton Wood through the off-season to get him back up to speed if needed for Sweden. He described the club as feeling like home when he signed a new four-year deal in May. Robins said: “He leads by example and he leads in all situations. He’s one of the main ones in there. Gibbo is a voice, there’s no doubt about it, Gibbo’s got a really good presence. For Wilmo, I thought it was a brilliant development year for him in terms of having that role and it shouldn’t be seen as something taken away from him, it’s added something to him – no doubt. “I just wanted to change that again, an energy change but also someone who is top fella. People love him. He’s vocal, he speaks, he’s sensible with his discussions. He speaks up in meetings and adds to the debate or giving answers and solutions. “He’s really good and I’m pleased he committed to another contract in the spring. He deserves that armband this season.” What do you think? Click HERE to join the debate