Any Stoke City fans who rushed to check out Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting’s record for Schalke last season after their club completed the signing of the Cameroon international would have been a little underwhelmed. A return of three goals in 23 Bundesliga appearances did not exactly set pulses racing, even if allowances were made for the Royal Blues’ all-round struggles as they limped to a disappointing 10th-place finish.
It is still early days for Choupo-Moting in the Potteries, but the evidence so far suggests he should be a great deal more productive this term. The 28-year-old is already just one goal away from matching his return for the whole of last season, with his brace on Saturday evening earning Stoke an important point against league leaders Manchester United.
Choupo-Moting began the weekend’s match as an inside-forward on the left-hand side of Mark Hughes’ 3-4-2-1 formation, having previously been deployed as a central striker in the draw with West Bromwich Albion and the victory over Arsenal. One of the former Hamburg’s man best qualities is his versatility, which meant he had no trouble interchanging with the other two members of Stoke’s front three, Jese Rodriguez and Xherdan Shaqiri, throughout the draw at the Bet365 Stadium.
His first goal may have come from close-range, but it was still a good finish: the ball played in from Mame Biram Diouf was slightly behind Choupo-Moting, who also had to hold off the challenge of Eric Bailly behind him. United got back on level terms through Marcus Rashford soon after and later took the lead via a Romelu Lukaku strike, but Stoke’s new No.10 rose highest to nod home an equaliser for the hosts in the 63rd minute.
Although United’s marking from Shaqiri’s corner was extremely slack, Choupo-Moting put his 6ft 3in frame to good use. Indeed, the Cameroonian has predictably encountered few problems adapting to the physicality of the Premier League, with his strength and power clear for all to see. He is also a fine dribbler– which is why he can comfortably play out wide – and a player who likes to get into goalscoring positions, although he has been guilty of wastefulness at times in the past.
Stoke have responded well to their opening-day defeat by Everton and it is perhaps no coincidence that they are yet to lose with Choupo-Moting in the starting line-up. Both player and club will be hoping that record continues when Stoke lock horns with Newcastle United on Saturday afternoon.
