Stoke fans have really had to endure mediocrity whilst watching their side in the Transfer Tavern this season.

Whilst their squad possess a lot of talent, the mid-table position that the Potters currently find themselves in has disappointed the Stoke section in the Transfer Tavern, who really expected more from their side this season.

Our landlord could not agree more and with the likes of Xherdan Shaqiri and Marko Arnautovic in their ranks, he believes Mark Hughes must have been aiming to be in a much higher position in the Premier League right now.

Player recruitment may be the order of the day according to the resident Potters in the Transfer Tavern but our landlord has warned that recruitment may leave to talent leaving, and he has noted some quality players that Stoke have been too quick to sell in recent years which has really affected their progression.

The stigmatisation of the Potters’ Premier League journey means they will always lose their players in bigger clubs come knocking and it makes it tough to fend off such clubs without really strong progress.

With that said, our landlord has outlined some of the players that Stoke has lost to the so called bigger clubs in recent times.

Let’s take a look at his findings…

Steven N’Zonzi

With Stoke really lacking some bite in the middle of the park, Steven N’Zonzi would not go a miss right now at the bet365 Stadium.

Our landlord believes that Sevilla robbed the Potters with the £7million bid and has seen the Spanish side quote £25million for the midfielder.

Of course, his contract was an issue and he was never likely to sign a new one.

Stoke fans in the Tavern feel boss, Mark Hughes could have done more to try and convince their then star midfielder to stay at the club.

Robert Huth

A season after letting Huth go, the German won the Premier League with Leicester City in a campaign that shocked English football.

Since Huth’s departure from the club, Mark Hughes has vigorously tried to find the right partner for Ryan Shawcross in the Potters’ defence and our landlord believes he may have made a mistake in letting Huth go.

Asmir Begovic

When Begovic left for Chelsea in 2015, Stoke fans in the Tavern weren’t too bothered as they placed their hope in young English goalkeeper, Jack Butland.

After seeing Butland miss most of this season through injury, our landlord has commented how Mark Hughes could do with a keeper of Begovic’s quality right now, and the Potters in the Tavern agree that their side would be so much more secure with the former goalkeeper between the sticks.