The Potters have been on a fine run in the Premier League that has seen them climb to eighth place, winning four of their last six games.
When Tony Pulis guided Stoke City to the Premier League in 2008, they were tipped to go straight back down by pundits and fans alike.
However, Pulis managed to establish the Potters as a mid-table Premier League side. He maintained an average finishing position of 12.6 in his five season’s with Stoke in the top division.
Pulis’s last season saw little progress though, and his contract was terminated by mutual consent.
Mark Hughes took the reigns at the Britannia Stadium in May 2013, and has overseen their rise in reputation, while making a long list of terrific acquisitions that have taken them to a new level. Back-to-back ninth-placed finishes in the Premier League are signs of vast improvement.
Hughes has revolutionised the way Stoke played under Pulis, while ensuring they have kept their defensive discipline that was drilled into them under their former boss.
The transformation began with the purchase of the mercurial Marko Arnautović in September 2013. Since then, Hughes has added Bojan Krkić, Ibrahim Afellay, Xherdan Shaqiri and most recently Giannelli Imbula. All for a combined amount of around £35 million. Quite incredible value, when the quality of the players mentioned is considered.
All of those players were bought from elite European clubs and that is evidence that Stoke is now an attractive Premier League destination.
The Britannia is one of the most vocal and vibrant stadiums in the league, and a place where all of these remarkable talents must love to showcase their abilities. Shaqiri told Stoke City’s official website how his first experience of the famous ground’s atmosphere was over-whelming:
“Over the past three days I have met great people at the club and witnessed the wonderful atmosphere at the Britannia Stadium on Sunday. That experience was overwhelming.”
While Hughes has made so many exciting additions, the ex-Manchester City manager has kept the foundations of what Pulis left behind. Stalwarts Ryan Shawcross and Glenn Whelan have remained integral to their development, while the emergence of goalkeeper Jack Butland has proved pivotal in their success.
The next challenge for Hughes and Stoke will be to push on to another level yet again. They are only five points outside the Champions League places, and as the quality of their playing staff continues to grow, so too will their ambitions.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
