Stoke City - Expected Line-Ups 13 August 2016

[FootballWriter1]

2015/2016 SEASON REVIEW

Stoke City finished the 2015/2016 campaign in 9th position and that was their third straight season at that position. After making few very good signings, their season started in terribly by not winning a game in the first 6 rounds. After that run, they made their biggest winning run of the season, winning 3 straight games which they did twice in the past season. They had some impressive wins such as a win over Chelsea 1-0, City 2-0, United 2-0, Everton 4-3, Southampton 1-0 but finished the year with just 1 win in the last 7 matches and had some brutal defeats, 4-0 against City and Tottenham and 4-1 to Liverpool. They ended their appearance in the FA Cup in the 4th round when they lost to Crystal Palace 1-0. League Cup was a completely different story, they had a great run that ended with a defeat to Liverpool in semifinals on penalties. All in all, a solid season from Stoke, but with players like Shaqiri, Afellay, Bojan, Arnautovic I expected more from this club.

PRESEASON 2016/2017

Stoke didn’t do a lot of business in preseason, signing just Joe Allen from Liverpool for 13 million pounds and a very talented Egyptian winger Ramadan Sobhi for approximately 5 million pounds. Alex Grant and Peter Odewinigie left the club as they were released. There are a lot of rumours about the club wanting to sign the great striker Saido Beranhino who refused to sign a new contract with West Brom. They've done well with signing a new 4 years contract with Marko Arnautovic who was their top scorer of last season and the only player to score more than 10 goals. There were very big rumours that he is close to signing with Everton, but the club were very determined to keep their best striker. They were also interested in signing Nani who left to Valencia and to sign Milan’s striker Niang but nothing is official yet. They didn’t make any big changes to the team, kept their main and the best players and this could be the season for big things for this club.

GOALKEEPERS

After their main goalkeeper and one of the best players Asmir Begovic left before the season, the fans were worried how will they recover from that. Begovic was the “face” of Stoke City as he played 5 seasons and in 170 matches for the club and winning Player of the year award in 2013. That’s how the story of Jack Butland began and how he was discovered. Butland was one of the best goalkeepers in the league the previous season, finishing in the top 3 for the most saves and as the best goalkeeper for saves per match ration – 3.3. He became the first goalkeeper after Begovic to win player of the year award at Stoke. Jack made 102 saves in 31 matches, finishing third but Gomes and Fabianski played 7 and 6 more matches than him. He had 10 clean sheets in the Premier League in 31 matches and ended up in 8th position in that column. The reason that he played only 31 matches is because he suffered serious ankle injury in an International game with England against Germany in March which ruled him out for the remainder of the season. Good news for Stoke fans is that he recovered from that injury and is ready for the new season. His substitutes are Shay Given, 40 years old and a very proven Premier league goalkeeper, and Jakob Haugaard who arrived at Britannia Stadium from Midtjylland and these two shared the spot in the 7 Premier league matches after Butland’s injury. There is no doubt that Butland will stay their main goalkeeper for the upcoming season and is expected to end the next season with even better statistics as he is more experienced and improved.

DEFENDERS

Pieters left, Glen Johnson right, Muniesa left and centre, Bardsley right

Defence is not the part of the last season’s team that Stoke can brag about as they finished in the top 5 for the most conceded goals in the Premier league. Despite the great season for Butland they conceded 17 goals in their last 7 games after his injury which ruined the great season until then. Their captain, true leader and player who plays for the club for 8 seasons and who made 270 appearances for the club, Ryan Shawcross had a terrible season with lots of injuries, causing him to play in only 20 Premier League games. He had serious back problems and even underwent surgery which kept him from playing a long time. After he came back, he still struggled and hasn’t fully recovered from the injury yet. His replacement in the centre back position that played most of the season was American player Geoff Cameron, who participated in 30 Premier League games, starting in 27 of them. He has 4 years at the club, came from Houston and made 127 appearances since then. He is a very good defender and also played for the US in Copa America this summer. His partner for the most of the season was Philipp Wollscheid who came to Stoke from Bayer Leverkusen. First, he spent one season at Stoke on loan but he is a Stoke player since last season. This 27 year old defender made 31 appearances for the team last season. Manager, Mark Hughes also used some more players due to problems with injuries, like Muniesa who played in 15 games and Wilson who played in 4 games. Their biggest problem the past season were injuries to their main players Shawcross and Butland but if they stay healthy in this season, Stoke can make a push for a place in European competitions.

Right back position was reserved for former Liverpool player Glen Johnson. Glen had a great career playing for West Ham, Chelsea, Liverpool and became a Stoke player last season. He also had some problems with injuries and played in 25 Premier league matches at his position and had 3 assists. He will turn 32 years later in August but we can still expect some great stuff from this player who was once selected to the Premier League team of the year. His replacement was another 31 years old player, Phil Bardsley who played in 11 matches after Johnson’s injury. Bardsley started his career at Manchester United, but made only 8 appearances for the club in 4 seasons. He came to Stoke from Sunderland in 2014. The only defender who didn’t have big problems with injuries in the team was left back Erik Pieters who played 35 games in the League last season. It was his third season for the club and he already made over 100 appearances. He didn’t have a very successful season, finishing with just 1 assists in 35 matches. As I said, if defence stay healthy, Stoke could do even better things and go for European competitions.

MIDFIELD

Midfield position is the best part of this team. They have some amazing players like Shaqiri, Bojan, Afellay and Imbula who is the most expensive player in the club’s history. He came from Porto in January of 2016 and was paid 18.3 million pound and is a defensive midfielders. The most quality name on this squad is Xherdan Shaqiri, former Basel, Bayern Munich and Inter player. He also came to the club last season for 12 million pounds. Shaqiri played 27 matches for the club last season, scoring 3 and assisting 6 goals. It was his first season in the club and he did a solid job, but from the player with his reputation, the fans and everyone else expect a lot more from this player. After settling down and experiencing Premier League football, I think next season we will see much better from Shaqiri with at least a dozen assists. Glenn Whelan is another player who, like the captain Showcross, has been with the club for 8 seasons and he made 261 appearances for the club. He was the captain in matches when Showcross was injured and even though he is 32 years old, he played the most Premier League matches last season for Stoke, missing just one game. He plays more defensive role at midfield and was one of the key players for Hughes last season.

Two players who sustained very serious injuries and that are expected to be out for more than 8 months are Ibrahim Afellay and Stephen Ireland. Ibrahim Afellay, 30 years old, was one of the biggest talents in football in his time, even playing some matches for Barcelona, but after a few seasons on loan, he signed a 2 year contract with Stoke City last season. He played 31 League games last season, scoring and also assisting 2 goals, before getting a serious knee injury in April in training. Fans had great expectations from him, but we could say his first season in Premier League was a failure and with this serious injury it will be very tough for him to come back at a high level. Stephen Ireland, former Manchester City player was a substitute for the most of the season, before he broke a leg during a training session and is now ruled out for nine months. Ireland played in 13 League matches and coming from the bench in all 13, having just one assist.

Giannelli Imbula, came to the club in January and made 14 appearances in his first half season. He made a good start to his Stoke career and earned the praise of teammates and the fan for his defensive play in midfield. He will have a big impact on their game next season and after spending some time with the team will get used to and also improve for the upcoming season. Charlie Adam 17 games last season, but spent most of the season as substitutes and with 1 year left on his contract may be looking for a move away for more regular playing time. Marco van Ginkel on loan from Chelsea played in 22 matches but went on loan to PSV after Stoke bought Imbula earlier in January so is no longer at the club. Another big talent in his time and another former Barcelona player is Bojan Krkic. He is still young, 25 years old and still has time to do big things in his career. He played 27 matches for the club last season and scored 7 goals having suffered a serious cruciate knee ligament injury at the end of January 2015 which meant he missed the start of the 2015/16 season. Bojan is an attacking midfielder who often plays more advanced behind the main striker.

Stoke City have some brilliant players and most of them had their first season in the club. I expect big things from Shaqiri, Imbula & Bojan now that they are more used to Premier league matches. The arrival of former Liverpool player and current Welsh midfielder, Joe Allen, will also help give them some drive and interceptions in midfield.

FORWARDS

Stoke had 4 great strikers last season and used them a lot. Their best striker and player who scored the most goals last season is Marko Arnautovic. This 27 year old player, had a magnificent season, playing in 34 matches and scoring 11 goals with 6 assists. He will stay at the club for 4 more years and next season will be even better for him, when the midfield starts to play like they can. He shared his position with Jonathan Walters who played in 27 matches scoring 5 and assisting 3 goals. The other two strikers are Mame Biram Diouf who played in 26 matches, scoring 5 goals and Joselu who played in 22 matches scoring 4 goals. Stoke have very good choices at strikers position and will be even better when the midfield starts making more chances and good passes. Peter Crouch was used sparingly last season and should be on his way out of Stoke to find more regular football.

2016/2017 PREDICTED LINEUP

I think that Mark Hughes will stick to his 4-2-3-1 formation, which suits the best because they have very strong midfielders who can score goals and also with Arnautovic in front will be a big threat.

Butland
Johnson(Bardsley) Shawcross Wollscheid/Cameron Pieters
Imbula Whelan
Shaqiri Allen Bojan
Arnautovic

SUMMARY

Stoke City did a great job in the offseason keeping their best players on the team and signing an experienced player as Joe Allen from Liverpool. This team is stacked with talented players who could explode every second and become one of the best players in the league. Their abilities are sky high and I expect great things from this team now that they are together for the season and have va ery good and experienced manager. My prediction for them in the upcoming season is 7th place and the spot in the Europa League qualifying round.

FANTASY FOOTBALL

Jack Butland – One of the best goalkeepers this season, in his first true professional season and Stoke’s best player will surely look to be even better for the upcoming one. I think he can surpass this year’s statistics and if he stays healthy and if his defensc stay healthy he could be one of the candidates for Golden Glove award or even for the place in the Premier League team of the season.

Giannelli Imbula – The most expensive player in Stoke’s history showed his great ability and talent in his first half season with the team. He immediately got used to Premier league football and showed that he will be a great signing and will make huge impact on the team. He impressed the fans in his first 14 games, scoring 2 goals already from a defensive position in midfield and in the upcoming season he will get even better although if you're looking for goals and assists maybe look elsewhere.

Arnautovic - in some Fantasy Football competitions he may be listed as a midfielder but he has been used more as a striker recently and a very effective one at that.

Xherdan Shaqiri – He showed his class and all his abilities at the Euros and scored maybe the best goal of the tournament against Poland. He is an amazing player and Stoke are really lucky to have player of this kind on their squad. He had a solid first season, but I expect him to explode in this upcoming season and find his place in Premier League team of the year, because he is capable of doing it.

INJURY REPORT

Ibrahim Afellay – Knee injury – 4 MONTHS OUT
Stephen Ireland – Broken leg – 5 MONTHS OUT

PRESEASON RESULTS

July 16 – Burton Albion (Pirelli Stadium) 0-3
July 23 – Preston North End (Deepdale) 1-1 (Diouf)
July 27 – Orlando City (Florida) 2-1 (Diouf, Bojan)
August 6 – Hamburg (Volksparkstadion, Hamburg)

FIRST 10 PREMIER LEAGUE MATCHES
Round 1 – Middlesbrough AWAY
Round 2 – Manchester City HOME
Round 3 – Everton AWAY
Round 4 – Tottenham HOME
Round 5 – Crystal Palace AWAY
Round 6 – West Brom HOME
Round 7 – Sunderland HOME
Round 8 – Hull City AWAY
Round 9 – Swansea HOME
Round 10 – West Ham AWAY

[FootballWriter1]

Stoke City have completed the signing of AFC Wimbledon defender Ryan Sweeney on a three-year contract for £250,000.

[harrycrumbuk]

Allen playing in the 3 behind the striker! Don't think so somehow

[FootballWriter1]

Preseason Friendly : Stoke City 0-1 Hamburg SV

[FootballWriter1]

Mark Hughes says he may have to look elsewhere for a striker due to the lack of progress in his pursuit of Saido Berahino.

Joe Allen says it "wasn't a difficult decision" to leave Liverpool in search of first-team football this summer.

[admin]

So based on the above and comments on SkySports, I think the line-up today could be:

Given (Butland injured)
Bardsley (Johnson may not be fit), Shawcross, Wollscheid/Cameron (may take RB spot), Pieters
Imbula, Whelan
Allen
Shaqiri, Bojan
Arnautovic

[FootballWriter1]

Premier League : Game 1 - Middlesbrough vs Stoke City 1-1 (Negredo 11', Shaqiri 67')

[admin]

Line-up was:

S Given yellow card, R Shawcross yellow card, P Bardsley yellow card, P Wollscheid yellow card, E Pieters, G Whelan, G Imbula, B Krkic (J Allen, 78), M Arnautovic yellow card, X Shaqiri, M Biram Diouf (J Walters, 69)

Subs not used: J Haugaard, C Adam, P Crouch, M Muniesa, G Cameron

Shaqiri injured his calf late on so now a doubt for the weekend. Butland & Johnson still not quite fit. Marc Wilson (Def) sold to Bournemouth.

[admin]

Team to play Man City at 12:30pm: Given Pieters Wollscheid Shawcross Bardsley Arnautovic Allen Whelan Imbula Krkic Diouf

Allen takes the place of the injured Shaqiri. Bojan Krkic will have to take on more of the playmaker role in Shaqiri's absence.

[admin]

Allen playing in the 3 behind the striker! Don't think so somehow

and yet that's where he's spent much of his time.