Tuesday 9 August 2016 13:17, UK
As we preview the new Premier League season, we pick out five questions for Stoke.
What have they done in the transfer market?
Joe Allen has arrived from Liverpool in a £13m deal and Stoke have also signed teenage Egyptian winger Ramadan Sobhi from Al Ahly for £5m. Perhaps the best news of all, however, was tying Marco Arnautovic to a new contract.
The Austrian had been a target for Everton, but he has committed his future to the Britannia Stadium, where Mark Hughes is hoping to pair him with Saido Berahino next season. Stoke face competition for the West Brom striker, with Crystal Palace and Everton the latest side to emerge as potential suitors.
What does the manager say?
"We are trying to progress both on and off the pitch and I think that is there for everybody to see. We have made signings of real intent and that shows we are regarded as a progressive and ambitious club now. Everything is growing and getting better and this is a great club to be a part of at the moment."
What's the pundit verdict?
Stoke have good footballers but I think they'll finish 10th.
"Stoke have good footballers but, like Southampton and Everton, I expect them to be right near the top of the 'other league' behind the top seven teams." - Paul Merson
What's your prediction?
Stoke will be aiming to improve on last year's ninth-placed finish. Sky Bet make them 750/1 outsiders to do a Leicester and win the Premier League title, and they are 40/1 for a top-four finish. They are evens for relegation, while Arnautovic and Bojan are both 100/1 to be the Premier League's top goalscorer.
