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Stoke can actually have a BETTER season than last without Marko Arnautovic
Fan's view
Mark of success

Why Stoke losing Marko Arnautovic this summer can actually lead to having a BETTER season than last

Potters have quietly gone about their transfer window this window... but we already hold the key to success

IT has been a summer of slow but smart transfer business at Stoke.

So far, more focus has been on shifting out players rather than bringing an influx in.

 Stoke can actually have a BETTER season than last without Marko Arnautovic
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Stoke can actually have a BETTER season than last without Marko ArnautovicCredit: PA:Press Association
 Marko Arnautovic left Stoke for West Ham this summer
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Marko Arnautovic left Stoke for West Ham this summerCredit: Reuters

The sales of Marko Arnautovic, Jonathan Walters, Glenn Whelan and Phil Bardsley have generated the club over £30million in sales and the loan of Marc Muniesa to Girona has freed up plenty of space in the squad.


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Stoke have managed to go about their business quietly and bring in the experienced Darren Fletcher from West Brom, Josh Tymon from Hull, Kurt Zouma on loan from Chelsea, Maxim Choupo-Moting from Schalke and Bruno Martins-Indi from Porto - spending a grand total of £7m.

I still think Stoke need to strengthen in the left wing-back position with just 18-year-old Josh Tymon as back-up to Erik Pieters.

We could do with two new central midfielders as Giannelli Imbula looks to be on his way out to Monaco and Bojan seems to be nearing an exit.

And with Joselu looking nailed on to join Newcastle this window, a new striker replacement would not go amiss.

Stoke's strengths come down the wings.

 It is time for Xherdan Shaqiri to step up to the plate at Stoke
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It is time for Xherdan Shaqiri to step up to the plate at StokeCredit: Reuters
 Xherdan Shaqiri will surely be Stoke's main man now Marko Arnautovic has left
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Xherdan Shaqiri will surely be Stoke's main man now Marko Arnautovic has leftCredit: Reuters

The likes of Xherdan Shaqiri, Ramadan Sobhi and Choupo-Moting are running the channels for the Potters this season and they all love to beat their man and get the ball in the box.

This is a big season for Shaqiri as he is now the main man following Arnautovic's move to West Ham.

 I reckon Saido Berahino will hit form for Stoke next season
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I reckon Saido Berahino will hit form for Stoke next seasonCredit: Rex Features
 Mark Hughes needs to sort out Stoke's dodgy defence ahead of the new season
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Mark Hughes needs to sort out Stoke's dodgy defence ahead of the new seasonCredit: PA:Press Association

The skillful Swiss has shown glimpses of brilliance for the Potters since joining in 2015, with some scorching goals against Everton, Newcastle and Hull. He is now urged on by fans to do this on a regular basis - and show up on the big occasions.

If Stoke are to improve on their 13th-placed finish last term, we NEED to sort out our defence.

There were way too many times where the team conceded four due to poor defending.

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Mark Hughes described those landslide losses as a “blip” but to concede four on numerous occasions is shambolic.

But something tells me Stoke will be much more solid this season.

I'm backing Shaqiri and Saido Berahino to hit form - and help push us back into the top half.

League table prediction: Ninth

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