Season Preview: Another mid-table finish on the cards for Stoke?

Previous season 

Stoke were somewhat stagnant and regressed last season after a succession of 9th-placed finishes. Mark Hughes’ side laboured to a 13th-placed finish with their away form cause for concern. Hughes is aware he needs to get the Potters back on track if they are to challenge for a European spot in the foreseeable future. Returning the Bet365 Stadium to a fortress will go a long way to improving the side’s fortunes over the duration of the campaign, with Stoke winning just seven games on home turf last term. 

Saturday’s trip to Goodison Park is far from ideal, but against a newly-assembled Everton squad, Hughes could utilise a settled squad to spring a surprise on Merseyside. After winning their final away game of the season, it should boost morale ahead of the weekend. 

Transfer summary 

Coming into the new season, Stoke are one of two teams yet to splash the cash in the transfer window. The arrival of Eric Maxim-Choupo Moting eases the big money departures of Mark Arnautovic, while Kurt Zouma has arrived on loan from Chelsea to swell the defensive ranks. Darren Fletcher is an experienced signing in midfield and that’s balanced out with the notable capture of young Josh Tymon from Hull. To go with the aforementioned Arnautovic, Jonathan Walters and Phil Bardsley have left for Burnley and experienced midfield pair Charlie Adam and Glenn Whelan have both been shown the Bet365 Stadium exit. Stoke are still pressing to secure Bruno Martins Indi on a permanent deal on the back of his loan stint.

One to watch - Ramadan Sobhi 

Previously dubbed the Egyptian Messi, it hasn’t quite gone to plan for Ramadan Sobhi at Stoke. The young winger made only eight starts for Hughes’ side last term, though he was a bright spark when called upon. Arnautovic’s sale should see the 20-year-old handed more first team opportunities to help consolidate a first team spot, even with the signing of Choupo-Moting, and it’s now up to Sobhi to live up to the above tag. 

Predicted finish - 10th 

Just the two points separated Saints in 8th and Stoke in 13th last season in an increasingly tight mid-table. Hughes has a settled squad and has made a couple of shrewd additions and while it’ll be enough to see them rise up the table, 10th is perhaps the best possible outcome for the Potters.