2015–16 Stoke City F.C. season

The 2015–16 season was Stoke City's eighth season in the Premier League and the 60th in the top tier of English football.

After finishing ninth in 2014–15 for a second season running, Mark Hughes made a number of alterations to his squad in preparation for the 2015–16 campaign. Leaving the club were the long-serving trio of Asmir Begović, Robert Huth and Steven Nzonzi with Stoke receiving their record transfer fee in the process. With the money available Hughes broke Stoke's transfer record paying Inter Milan £12 million for Swiss winger Xherdan Shaqiri. He brought in Spanish striker Joselu for £5.75 million and Dutch midfielder Ibrahim Afellay. Also arriving at the Britannia Stadium were Shay Given, Jakob Haugaard, Glen Johnson and Marco van Ginkel.

Stoke made a poor start to their campaign as they failed to win any of their opening six matches, losing home matches 1–0 against Liverpool and West Bromwich Albion and drawing away against Norwich City and Tottenham Hotspur. City also lost to Arsenal and drew at home to Leicester City before claiming their first win against Bournemouth, which was followed up with away victories against Aston Villa and Swansea City. In December Stoke beat both Manchester clubs 2–0 and won 4–3 away at Everton as Stoke ended 2015 in a top half position.

Stoke also had a good run in the League Cup where after knocking out Luton Town, Fulham, Chelsea and Sheffield Wednesday they lost to Liverpool on penalties in the semi-final. Stoke were also knocked out of the FA Cup by Crystal Palace, and with both cup exits sandwiched between three consecutive 3–0 Premier League defeats it rounded up a poor start to 2016 for the Potters.

In the January transfer window Stoke broke their transfer record set in the summer paying Porto £18.3 million for midfielder Giannelli Imbula whilst Steve Sidwell and Marco van Ginkel both departed. Stoke's form improved as they defeated Bournemouth, Aston Villa, Newcastle United and Watford whilst they managed to claim their first Premier League point at Chelsea. However following an injury to Jack Butland Stoke lost their defensive solidarity conceding four goals in three consecutive matches against Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City earning the team much criticism. They were able to recover though and defeated West Ham United on the final day to finish in ninth position for a third season running.

Pre-season

In February 2015 Stoke announced that New Balance will be their new kit supplier from 2015–16 taking over from Warrior. Stoke will travel to Singapore to take part in the 2015 Premier League Asia Trophy along with Arsenal, Everton and a Singapore Selection XI. They will also take part on the Colonia Cup based in Cologne, Germany along with 1. FC Köln, Porto and Valencia. In May 2015 Stoke completed the permanent signing of Philipp Wollscheid and Danish goalkeeper Jakob Haugaard. On 29 May, Stoke released their retained list which included the departures of long-serving duo Thomas Sørensen and Andy Wilkinson. Also leaving the Britannia Stadium were Wilson Palacios and nine members of the under-21 development squad: Tomi Adeloye, James Alabi, Sam Coulson, Alex Grant, Robbie Parry, Nathan Ricketts-Hopkinson, Adam Thomas, Charlie Ward and Eillot Wheeler. Stoke's first major transfer activity of the summer saw the arrival of Spanish striker Joselu from Hannover 96, whilst Robert Huth completed a permanent switch to Leicester City.

The players returned to training at Clayton Wood on 3 July. The squad travelled to Singapore on 8 July in preparation for the Premier League Asia Trophy. On 9 July, Stoke sold last season's player of the year, Steven Nzonzi, to Sevilla for a fee of £7 million. On 10 July, Stoke completed the double signing of midfielder Marco van Ginkel on a season-long loan from Chelsea and the free transfer of veteran goalkeeper Shay Given from Aston Villa. Former Liverpool defender Glen Johnson joined on a free whilst goalkeeper Asmir Begović left to join Chelsea for a fee believed to be £8 million.

Stoke's first match of pre-season was against Everton in the Premier League Asia Trophy in Singapore. The match was tightly contested encounter which ended goalless after 90 minutes and went to a penalty shoot out. The only player to not score was Marco van Ginkel and the Toffees went through to the final. Stoke played against a Singapore Selection XI in the 3/4 place play-off and won the match 2–0 with goals from Steve Sidwell and Marko Arnautović. On their return to the UK, Stoke played against National League side Wrexham at the Racecourse Ground. City eased to a simple 6–0 victory with goals from Mame Biram Diouf, Marco van Ginkel, Joselu, Dom Telford and a brace from former Wrexham striker Jonathan Walters. The Dragons were denied a consolation after Daniel Bachmann saved Kayden Jackson's penalty. Stoke then faced Championship side Brentford on 25 July which saw Bojan make his return from injury after seven months out. Brentford won the match 2–0 with goals from Akaki Gogia and Stuart Dallas. The squad then spent the following week at a training camp in Evian, France, before the Colonia Cup. Stoke's final preparations for the 2015–16 season were matches against 1. FC Köln, and Porto in the Colonia Cup. Both matches were lost, 2–1 to Köln and 3–0 to Porto.

Premier League

August

The fixtures for the 2015–16 Premier League season were released on 17 June 2015 and the first match would be a repeat of the final match of last season where Stoke City beat Liverpool 6–1. It was the first time in Premier League history that two sides have met at the same venue in consecutive fixtures.

Mark Hughes gave debuts to Ibrahim Afellay, Glen Johnson and Marco van Ginkel for the first match of the season against Liverpool. The match was a tight and uneventful affair and with the game seemingly drifting towards a goalless draw, Philippe Coutinho scored from 25-yards in the 86th minute to earn Brendan Rodgers' side the three points. After the match Stoke broke their transfer record by signing Swiss winger Xherdan Shaqiri for £12 million.

The Potters' first away match of the season came against Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane. Stoke suffered a blow before kick-off as it was revealed that Shaqiri would not be able to make his debut, as he needed a serve a one-match suspension carrying over from the Coppa Italia. Spurs started the match strongly and after forcing Jack Butland into some good saves they took the lead through Eric Dier on 19 minutes, scoring a second just before half-time through a volley from Nacer Chadli. Hughes brought on Stephen Ireland and Joselu in an effort to turn the game around and it had the desired impact. Ireland played in Joselu in the penalty area who was fouled by Toby Alderweireld and Marko Arnautović converted the penalty past Hugo Lloris. Stoke completed the comeback after Ireland's cross was headed in by Mame Biram Diouf.

City then travelled to newly promoted Norwich City on 22 August and Hughes was able to give Shaqiri his debut. He made an instant impact, as his free-kick was headed in by Diouf to give Stoke an early lead at Carrow Road, only for Russell Martin to level for Norwich. The Canaries controlled the remainder of the match but could not find a way past an in-form Jack Butland.

Former manager Tony Pulis made his first return to the Britannia Stadium with West Bromwich Albion following his sacking in May 2013. Stoke made a positive start to the match and were in control until the game changed in the 25th minute. Referee Michael Oliver sent-off Ibrahim Afellay for an altercation with Craig Gardner, then five minutes later sent-off Charlie Adam for a scuffle with Craig Dawson. The Baggies took full advantage of the situation with a goal on the stroke of half-time through Venezuelan striker Salomón Rondón. Despite Stoke's nine men putting in a good performance in the second half, they were unable to force an equaliser.

September

After the international break, Stoke travelled to Arsenal's Emirates Stadium, where they had lost all seven previous visits. The eighth saw no end to that record, as goals from Theo Walcott and Olivier Giroud gave the Gunners the three points. After the match, Mark Hughes criticized his team's poor defending as Stoke made their worst start to a Premier League campaign with just two points from their opening five matches.

Stoke then faced in-form Leicester City at home, with Claudio Ranieri's side still unbeaten in the league. Stoke took the lead after 13 minutes through Bojan after he was played in by Marko Arnautović, then less than ten minutes later, a defensive mix up by former Potter Robert Huth and Wes Morgan let Walters put Stoke up 2–0. Stoke, however, were unable to see out the win, as Riyad Mahrez converted a penalty after Arnautović brought down Danny Drinkwater and Jamie Vardy fired in an equalizer late on to earn the Foxes a point.

Newly promoted Bournemouth were next to arrive at the Britannia Stadium for the first top flight fixture between the two clubs. The Cherries suffered an early set back as their top-scorer Callum Wilson sustained a serious knee injury prompting a lengthy delay. Jonathan Walters scored from Marko Arnautović's cross to put Stoke ahead before Dan Gosling equalised with a deflected strike after the break. Mame Diouf then stooped to head in Glen Johnson's cross from the right on 83 minutes to earn Stoke their first win of the season.

October

Stoke's first match of October was against fellow Midlands opponents Aston Villa at Villa Park. Marko Arnautović had a goal ruled out for offside in the first half although replays showed that he was onside. Arnautović did score in the second half after he was played in by Glen Johnson, and Stoke held on to secure back-to-back wins.

Following the international break, where goalkeeper Jack Butland made his competitive debut for England, Stoke faced a long trip to Swansea City on a Monday night. Stoke were awarded an early penalty when Ashley Williams brought down Bojan in the penalty area, who stepped up to convert the spot kick. Arnautović had a goal disallowed for offside in the second half, whilst the Swans rarely threatened to score themselves, with Jonjo Shelvey getting closest, hitting the post from a tight angle; Stoke were able to see out the victory. It was Stoke's first win at the Liberty Stadium after four previous visits.

Stoke then hosted newly promoted Watford on 24 October. The Potters produced a poor performance and goals from Troy Deeney and Almen Abdi earned Quique Sánchez Flores' Hornets a 2–0 win.

Stoke ended October with a goalless draw away at Newcastle United. Goalkeeper Jack Butland` prevented the Magpies from claiming the win with a number of vital saves.

November

Eleven days after knocking Chelsea out of the League Cup, the two sides met again at the Britannia, although this time the Blues were without manager José Mourinho, who was serving a stadium ban. Both sides went close to opening the scoring in the first half with Ramires and Diego Costa being denied by Butland whilst former Stoke 'keeper Asmir Begović saved a low shot from Glen Johnson. Stoke took the lead just after half-time through an acrobatic volley from Marko Arnautović following a cross from Johnson. Pedro then hit the post and Loïc Rémy wasted a late chance and the match ended 1–0 to Stoke.

Following the international break, Stoke made the long trip to the south coast to take on Ronald Koeman's Southampton. Before the match, both sides paid tributes to the victims of the terrorist attacks in Paris. Stoke made a good start to the encounter and took the lead in the tenth minute after Bojan flicked in a low cross from Erik Pieters. Shaqiri forced Maarten Stekelenburg into a smart save whilst the Saints struggled to trouble Jack Butland. Southampton enjoyed more possession in the second half, but Stoke produced a strong defensive performance and had chances on the counterattack through Ibrahim Afellay and Marko Arnautović. Graziano Pellè had a penalty appeal turned down by referee Lee Mason