Stoke City

Overweight and Out-of-Form Stoke City Striker Insists He's Shedding Pounds and Vows Strong Return

?Saido Berahino has insisted he is losing weight after gaining the pounds while at West Brom, and has vowed to his new club Stoke City that he will keep a strict training regime for a strong return next season, via ?Sky Sports. 

The striker extended his goal drought to 25 consecutive games on Saturday after the dull 0-0 draw against West Ham, a stint which stretches back to February 2016 when he was still in a Baggies shirt. 

After being sidelined for a lengthy period with the Midlands club, Berahino has now shredded six kilograms as he battles back to fitness and form. Stating that lack of playing time is part of the reason for the weight gain and he has promised Stoke boss Mark Hughes that he will undergo an extended pre-season only having one week off. 

He said: “I’ve lost about six kilograms, six or seven. It’s been very easy for me to shift that weight. 

“The way my body is, when I’m playing, I trim down. When I’m not playing, I put on weight. I’ve got to blame my family for the genes they gave me.

“It’s just that I put on weight easily if I don’t move. If I don’t do exercise, my weight just goes up. That’s what happened at West Brom.”

Before moving to the Potters in January, Berahino didn’t play a game for four-and-a-half months, which included an eight week ban for failing a drugs test. 

With just three games remaining there is little playing time left for the striker but he assured Hughes he will stay in shape with continued training throughout the summer. 

The Stoke boss said: “It’s difficult when you’re not involved.

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“We know the circumstances at West Brom. He’s benefited from Premier League training day in, day out. He’s in a better place physically and mentally.

“Clearly, he’s playing games and enjoying it. There’s more to come from him. It will take time. He’s looking forward to next year – he’s telling me he’s going to have a week off and that’s it, he’s going to work all summer – that shows the attitude.”

With just three goals in 21 appearances, in all competitions, both Berahino and Stoke City will be looking for improvements next season.