Oof’ – The Viktor Johansson talks which spelled out Stoke City intentions

Stoke City goalkeeper Viktor Johansson was excellent against Norwich on Saturday in the 1-1 draw

Narcis Pelach has been impressed by Stoke City number one Viktor Johansson in the last couple of games – but he remains firmly of the belief that the towering Swede can become even better in time. Johansson kept a clean sheet at Swansea City before the international break, and while a shut-out eluded him on Saturday when Norwich City visited, he played a crucial role in ensuring the Potters earned a point from the 1-1 draw.

Johansson denied both Marcelino Nunez from close range and then Canaries captain Kenny McLean from a corner. He has quickly become a firm favourite with supporters following his summer move from relegated Rotherham United, whose drop back into League One last season had no bearing on Johansson’s own personal reputation.

Stoke City FC - Goalkeeper Johansson makes Stoke City move

He quickly established himself under previous manager Steven Schumacher as the club’s undisputed number one at the beginning of the season and the 26-year-old’s displays have already impressed successor Pelach, who brought goalkeeping coach Paul Clements with him to the Potteries. He expects the pair to continue working closely together, and that Johansson – a Swedish international – has more under the bonnet Stoke can extract.

“Two very good performances from Viktor, here and he played very well at Swansea as well,” Pelach said. “I am pleased with him, but I want more. I already said to him if he wants to become the goalkeeper I think he could be one day, he needs to put performances like this together.

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