da poker： Stoke’s future under Mark Hughes feels like it can go one of two ways.
da bet7： The definition of success for the Potters has changed. Previously the admired Pulis-aim of 40 points was the holy grail, it defined the ambition of the club for a period, in fact.
Now, under Hughes’ stewardship, murmurings of European ambition and big name signings has changed the whole approach of the club.
The emphasis is markedly different, but emphatic form troughs have made Hughes’ team one of the most inconsistent in Europe.
From the brilliance that sees them as outsiders for the top four, to the dire end of season run that involved some leaky defensive displays, Stoke are becoming harder to predict than one would’ve ever expected in the days of Pulis.
Due to this, Hughes could quickly come under pressure. A poor start to the season may see the concerns rear their ugly heads again and, after the collapses Hughes has overseen at previous clubs, it is not impossible to rule out another such event.
However, it is just as likely that Hughes guides a talented squad to shoot for the stars.
On that note, here are FIVE strikers that could solve Stoke’s problem position…
Wilfried Bony
Players who don’t play very often tend to become rusty and that has clearly been a significant issue for Wilfried Bony at Manchester City.
It would be a shock to most of the footballing world if Bony remained at City beyond this summer, but the Ivorian still is the player that left Swansea.
He still has that quality that made him one of the best strikers in the Premier League and would work superbly with the quality creative talent Stoke possess.
It is easy to forget how good Bony was, considering that his time at City has been so disappointing, but he’s a class act and would be quite a coup for Stoke.
Loic Remy
Much like Bony, Remy has rarely crept out of the wilderness during his time at Chelsea.
Turning Newcastle down for the Blues has returned trophies, yes, but it hasn’t provided the Frenchman with much on an individual level.
Injury weaknesses would obviously be a huge concern for Stoke if they were to move for Remy, unfortunately. However, his goals-per-minute ratio at any club he’s been at might be enough to lure a bid.
Mario Balotelli
Mark Hughes has honed Marko Arnautovic into a hard working, committed winger, so maybe he fancies his chances of guiding Mario Balotelli to reach his potential too.
Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp seem unlikely to keep the enigmatic Italian and, if anything, it would sure be entertaining seeing Arnautovic and Balotelli’s inevitable on-field spat.
Despite his antics, Balotelli is a gifted footballer and could, just maybe, become a superstar at a Premier League club.
Mario Gomez
Currently playing for Besiktas, Mario Gomez must be tempted by the prospect of a return to one of the top European leagues.
His quality is still there and his undoubted finishing ability shows no sign of declining as he netted 26 league goals last season; which was 35% of his team’s total goals.
Gomez might not have the pace, or link play, of other options, but if goals are what Hughes wants there are few better options.
Arkadiusz Milik
As Poland progressed to the quarter final stage of Euro 2016, Milik showed signs of a player who could cope with the intense physical demands of the Premier League.
At just 22 years old, the Ajax forward has demonstrated a complete game, with the ability to play with his back to goal, challenge defences to intelligent movement and feed off quality crosses.
Milik has all the attributes to succeed in the current Potters squad and, having scored 21 goals in the Eredivisie last season, he has proven he is a natural finisher.