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Mark Robins may face unexpected dilemma in new Stoke City selection battle A lot to unravel over the next few weeks at Stoke City One consequence of Stoke City’s right-back quandary has been to seemingly cement the pecking order at centre-half during pre-season. Ben Wilmot has shifted out to right-back to cover injured Junior Tchamadeu while Stoke continue to look to bolster that position in the transfer market. So Bosun Lawal and Luke Graham have had the chance to work on their partnership in the middle, starting the final two friendlies of pre-season against Everton and Valencia and looking like they should complement each other. That leads to another consequence for Mark Robins to consider: what will happen to the captaincy if Wilmot is not a near-automatic pick in his favoured role? Wilmot is sure to lead the side out against Oldham Athletic for the Carabao Cup first round tie at home on Saturday but, right here, right now, you would get longer odds on that being the case for a league home game against Nathan Jones’s Charlton Athletic on September 5, the first match after the transfer window has closed. FOLLOW OUR FACEBOOK PAGE! Latest Stoke City news, analysis and more via the Sentinel Wilmot, who is in the final year of his contract and is Stoke’s longest-serving player, will challenge himself to be one of the first names on the teamsheet by that point. He probably found his best form for the club in the first couple of months of last season next to Lawal after being handed the armband but there is strong competition for a shirt this time around. Ben Gibson and Viktor Johansson had pretty much shared the captaincy honour in 2024/25, taking over from Josh Laurent (2023/24), who inherited from Lewis Baker (2022/23), who had got it from Joe Allen. If not Wilmot, then Johansson would be one of the favourites to resume the role. There seems too much flux in the starting Xi to predict who else might be an option. New arrivals Graham, Svante Ingelsson and Ethan Galbraith will hope to be leaders. Sorba Thomas might be a leftfield pick although he can be mischievous. Million Manhoef, who can be infectious, spent time out of the side last season. Lawal is softly spoken. Aaron Cresswell is currently injured. Maybe Wilmot will make this all a moot point over the next few weeks but it is another item on the agenda for a busy few weeks of football, transfer business and squad balancing. It would be good to head into September with a spine of the team that all-but picks itself which can set the standards and tempo no matter who is the first man out of the tunnel. What you have said David Baker: I’d have Wilmot as club captain as long as he plays regularly enough. In his absence I’d have Johansson. Because of the character he is. Although I prefer a centre half or midfielder as captain, Viktor will always be first choice when available and I’m sure he’s great both on and off the pitch. Nik Godridge: Wilmot’s captain and, in my opinion, our best centre half. Can’t believe circumstances have pushed him out to cover right back. Not good a week before kick off. John Newton: Lawal is an outstanding centre half. He can pick a pass from there too and that’s something we struggled with when he got injured as Wilmot and Phillips just couldn’t get the ball forward or out quick enough. I think Lawal and Graham are excellent defenders but they also get the ball forward quicker and look confident on the ball. As for captain there’s not much choice. I think that says a lot about the leaders in the squad. Nothing negative but we’ve lacked a lot of leaders for a few years now. I’d let the players vote. They know who will be playing week in week out and who they turn to. Rob Cheadle: I think captaincy can elevate a player’s performance over the season, Johansson is the perfect character but can he have enough influence from the six-yard box? Adrian Guy Pearce: Wilmot should be given a new two-year contract and form a partnership with Graham. Lawal should be midfield, Manhoef should be sold and replaced. Still terrible decision making and we look weak on the right because he’s a one trick pony that can’t convert with his right and always has to cut back onto the left. Steve Ector: Wilmot as captain. He stepped up last year when given the armband when others it weighed too heavy. Viktor was good but having to run up the pitch to speak to ref got him carded. Josh Hollins: Why not give it Johansson if fit he will play every game? Kev Hall: Lawal should be in midfield loads better player in there. Terry Slater: Maybe a new captain would bring a change in fortune. Arthur John Atkins: Wilmot every time, Lawal no leadership qualities, and there’s plenty of time for Graham in the future. Jim Welsh: Midfield players, no matter who, usually the best pick. Don’t give it Viktor again, went to his head a bit and made a few errors. Too many players used for us to use last season for a stand out captain. We don’t know who stands out in training. No one putting Sorba in the mix? Lawrence Chapman: I can see Wilmot in holding midfield role. Jjust a thought Mr Robins . Graham Fricker: Definitely keep Wilmot give him a two-year contract and keep him captain and Viktor as vice captain. What do you think? Click HERE to join the debate