Three players Paul Lambert could look to reunite with at Stoke City

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The former Wolverhampton Wanderers and Aston Villa manager has taken the reins at Stoke City.

Former Wolverhampton Wanderers and Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert is Mark Hughes’ replacement at Stoke City.

The 48-year-old has signed a two-and-a-half-year deal at the Bet365 Stadium and will likely want to put his own stamp on Hughes’ team immediately.

But which of his former players could he target in the Potteries? HITC takes a look…

Fabian Delph (Manchester City)

Stoke’s midfield could perhaps do with an injection of life, and Delph would be ideal if he wasn’t paying regularly for Manchester City. That said, the 28-year-old owes his run in the team to Benjamin Mendy’s injury and could find himself out of the picture when the Frenchman returns later this year – or sooner, if a specialist left-back arrives. Delph was arguably at his best under Lambert at Aston Villa.

Helder Costa (Wolverhampton Wanderers)

Stoke have failed to adequately replace Marko Arnautovic since the winger’s summer move to West Ham United, while Costa has fallen out of favour since Lambert’s departure from Wolves. Given that the Portuguese enjoyed his most productive Wolves spell under Lambert’s management – scoring eight goals and creating nine in 24 appearances – he could feature highly on the Scot’s list.

Christian Benteke (Crystal Palace)

Stoke’s goalscoring problems are no secret, with no Potters player having struck more than four of them this season. Benteke’s campaign isn’t going much better (he’s found the net just once in 17 matches), however, a reunion with Lambert, under whom he scored 37 goals in 85 games for Aston Villa could do the trick. Benteke’s current employers Crystal Palace are desperately short in the Belgian’s position, but could be open to offers if additional front men arrive at Selhurst Park.