Tchamadeu says Premier League promotion the ultimate goal for Stoke

Summer signing Junior Tchamadeu is targeting promotion with Stoke as they look to return to the Premier League for the first time since 2018.

The Potters are on a four-game unbeaten run and travel to struggling Coventry on Saturday.

Tchamadeu, 19, made the leap from League Two Colchester on deadline day and was thrown straight in by Alex Neil, who is building a young squad in the Midlands.

Speaking to LiveScore, the youngster said: "The ultimate goal is to get promoted.

"We've got quite a new squad and it is still taking time to gel properly but we've seen in our last four performances how the team is coming together. 

"We're not far off from the play-offs but it's still early on in the season, so we're going to just keep taking it game by game and hopefully keep picking up points every week.

"And if we're there at the end of the season, then we look forward to it."

Settling in 

Tchamadeu won the EFL Young Player of the Season award with Colchester in 2022-23, prompting Stoke to make their move for the speedster in their bid to improve upon finishing 16th last term.

And the ex-Charlton youth product has settled in well at his new club.

He explained: "I'd like to say it's been quite a smooth, easy transition. I feel like I've adapted well to the standard of the Championship.

"I know what to expect every week now, which I'm happy about because I know for a lot of people it could take some time to adapt and adjust.

"I'd say in League Two, I had more time on the ball so I could take more touches. But in the Championship, I think players are as quick and as strong as me. 

"So I need to be two steps ahead in my head. Otherwise, you get caught out and teams are more ruthless, so you will get punished."

Willing to work

Tchamadeu was used down both flanks during his Colchester days, making him a versatile option for Stoke.

After earning starts against Southampton and Leicester in October, the London-born defender has been left on the bench for the last four matches but is willing to fight for his opportunities in the starting XI.

He added: "I will play wherever the manager wants me to. I think that's a good trait to have, being able to play in more than one position.

"I thought when I did play, I played well, so right now all I can do is keep working hard and training. When he gives me another opportunity, I've got to take it and perform again.

"I've had a mentality shift and had to build my character and mental strength in a way because coming from Colchester where I was used to playing every week, it's a big difference.

"I knew I wouldn't be playing every week but once you're actually in that position, sometimes it's hard to keep that concentration and motivation."

Momentum is the key

Coventry sit 20th in the Championship but a win will take them to within two points of the Potters.

England's second tier has a reputation for being hugely competitive across the board and Tchamadeu, who just earned his first Cameroon call-up, believes building momentum is the key to success.

He said: "You can see how tight the table is already, it is a very competitive league and it's just going to get more and more difficult to fight for those places.

"It's so important to keep that consistency in performances. 

"We know results can go either way on the day but if you can maintain that consistency in our performances,  that gives you real confidence going into the next games."