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Man City striker Divin Mubama’s poor form on loan at Stoke City continued in midweek as they lost 1-0 to Ipswich Town.
Mubama joined Man City from West Ham last year after scoring regularly in the Irons’ youth ranks and making the step up to their first-team under David Moyes.
He was handed senior chances by Pep Guardiola in his maiden Man City campaign, with appearances in the Premier League and FA Cup as he scored his first goal for the club against Salford City in January.
The 21-year-old was sent on loan to Championship side Stoke City ahead of 2025-26, and while he has shown that he has an eye for goal, things have not particularly gone his way so far at the bet365 Stadium.
Mark Robins‘ side were in need of a win at fellow promotion-chasers Ipswich Town on Wednesday (10 December), but Mubama failed to deliver and could well face some time out of the team going forward.
Mubama has now not scored in last seven Stoke games after Ipswich loss
Guardiola praised Mubama’s movement as “unbelievable” after his goal against Salford in January, yet he has not shown that on a consistent basis for the Potters so far this term.
Mubama was sent off against Southampton in August after a dive earned him a second yellow card, but did start the season well at Stoke with goals in successive wins against Derby County and Sheffield Wednesday.
He then went 10 games without finding the back of the net before bagging a first career hat-trick against Bristol City last month, with Robins’ side staging an automatic promotion push.
The Potters have won just two of their last seven games since then, however, with Mubama again going through a rough patch of form alongside his teammates.
Ipswich beat Stoke 1-0 at Portman Road on Wednesday night, with the 21-year-old still trusted by Robins to start the game despite his recent lacklustre showings in front of goal.
It was another game to forget for Mubama as he failed to take a shot on goal or create a chance, and did not touch the ball in the hosts’ penalty area despite Stoke dominating possession.
Man City could assess their options for Mubama in January, Crystal Palace hold an interest
Citizens chiefs and Guardiola will be equally concerned at Mubama’s recent slow progress, as he is clearly a player who they believe can have an impact on the club’s first-team in the years to come.
He is a highly-rated striker who has the potential to play at the top level, but Potters boss Robins could look to take him out of the firing line in the next few games with Robert Bozenik and Sam Gallagher ready to stake their claim up-front.
Depending on whether Stoke look to sign a new striker next month, Man City may even consider a new move for Mubama for the second half of the campaign.
Crystal Palace are believed to be tracking Mubama [Alan Nixon] in case Jean-Philippe Mateta leaves, while Ipswich and Lille wanted him in the summer window [Fabrizio Romano], so even though he has struggled recently at Stoke, he is not set to be short of suitors in January if he is set to leave the Potteries.