Championship debrief as ex-Middlesbrough man sets early goals at new club and PSR set for reform

Former Middlesbrough man Ben Gibson completed his move to Stoke City this week - with the Teesside centre-back available on a free after leaving Norwich City.

Gibson, 31, signed a three-year deal at the bet365 Stadium to become Steven Schumacher's second signing of the summer. The Potters are looking to remould their squad after a disappointing campaign last term with Gibson adding experience and promotion know-how to their backline.

The Boro academy graduate was a former team-mate of Stoke technical director Jonathan Walters, with the pair team-mates at Burnley. Having completed the move, Gibson is clear on his ambitions at his new club.

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In his first interview since joining, the Teessider said: "Stoke City is a fantastic club, with lots of history, huge stature and I am looking forward to getting to work. I have played here, the atmosphere is fantastic and the fanbase speaks for itself.

"I want to be part of a team that brings the good times back to Stoke. There are some brilliant players here and it is now about creating that unity and togetherness to find the camaraderie which will set us on our way to achieving something great.

“We have to build a culture and environment where everyone is demanding of each other, where we don’t accept second best from anyone in this football club from top to bottom. Our fans work hard to earn their money every week to come and support us so they need to see a team that reflects them, their personalities and attitude to life."

PSR reform coming

Change to the league's profit and sustainability rules is expected to come. The EFL released a statement this week confirming that an agreement at a combined divisional meeting on Friday was made to determine how future cost controls in the division will work.

The EFL statement read: "Clubs have committed to change and agreed in principle to target the end of the calendar year to determine how future cost controls in the division will work. Clubs will now consider multiple options to enhance or replace the current Profitability and Sustainability Rules (P&S) via a new working party that will represent the views of all 24 Clubs before deciding on the most appropriate direction of travel."

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Manager updates

Fresh from the security of Michael Carrick signing a new Boro deal to remain at the Riverside, there are still some clubs still looking to appoint their next manager. In the Premier League, newly-promoted Leicester City lost boss Enzo Maresca to Chelsea and continue their search.

They had previously been linked with a move for West Brom boss Carlos Corberan, in a move that would have significantly weakened, or at least setback, a promotion rival for Boro. However, new reports claim the Foxes have held talks with Steve Cooper as his odds have dramatically shortened.

In the Championship, Burnley continue their new boss search after surprisingly losing Vincent Kompany to Bayern Munich. Frank Lampard is the current favourite and has described himself as 'ready to work' when the right opportunity comes up. Craig Bellamy, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Scott Parker have also been linked with the Clarets, who will be expected to challenge for promotion next term.

Finally, Sunderland are less fancied for a promotion challenge next term and are struggling in their new manager search, with long-term target Will Still walking away from negotiations and becoming RC Lens boss. Owner Kyril Louis Dreyfus updated supporters over the weekend, saying their search was reaching its final stages. With Pascal Jansen ruled out, former Hull City boss Liam Rosenior is being linked.

Other done deals

The transfer window doesn't open officially until Friday, but that hasn't stopped some clubs from confirming some deals already. As with Stoke sealing the Gibson deal, Boro have also already got their first through the door in Luke Ayling too, while a few other clubs have sealed their first deals too.

Gibson is Stoke's second signing, joining ex-Rotherham keeper Viktor Johansson at the bet365 Stadium. Burnley have signed Mike Tresor and Maxime Esteve on permanent deals after the due were on loan last season. Coventry, meanwhile, have two quickly through the door as Marko Stamenic joins from Red Star Belgrade and Raphael Borges Rodrigues comes in from Macarthur.

Corey Blackett-Taylor joins Derby County on a free from Charlton after their promotion and Levski Sofia defender Jose Cordoba replaces Gibson at Norwich. Nathanael Ogbeta is Wayne Rooney's first signing at Plymouth Argyle and 18-year-old Daniel Bennie moves to QPR from Perth Glory. Young Mali striker Mamadou Doumbia joins Watford on July 1, in a deal that was announced in February too. But in total, 15 of the 24 Championship clubs are yet to announce a new signing so far.