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.

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'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.

[7] 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.

[8] 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.

[13] 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.

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.

[26] 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.

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.

[29] 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.

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.

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.

[42][43] 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.

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.

The Potters produced a poor performance and goals from Troy Deeney and Almen Abdi earned Quique Sánchez Flores' Hornets a 2–0 win.

[49][50] 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.

Firstly, Bojan scored from close-range following a defensive mistake from Memphis Depay, followed by Arnautović firing a powerful 25-yard strike past goalkeeper David de Gea.

Stoke equalized with ten minutes remaining after Walters headed in Joselu's cross, but soon after the restart, Geoff Cameron was sent-off for an altercation with Claudio Yacob.

Stoke never recovered from this set back and the Foxes maintained their title bid with an easy 3–0 win thanks to goals from Danny Drinkwater, Leonardo Ulloa and Jamie Vardy.

Stoke endured an awful first half where goals from Séamus Coleman, Aaron Lennon and Romelu Lukaku gave the Toffees a 3–0 half-time lead.

The Potters took the lead through a powerful strike from Imbula before injuries to Muniesa and Johnson forced Hughes to use a makeshift defense with striker Diouf at right back and Dionatan Teixeira making a rare appearance.

Stoke got a second goal soon after as a looping cross from Shaqiri was failed to be dealt with by goalkeeper Mark Bunn or the Villa defence and Arnautović was able to chest the ball over the line.

It was the Saints who claimed the three points as a first half brace from Italian striker Graziano Pellè earned Ronald Koeman's side a 2–1 victory with Arnautović scoring a consolation for Stoke.

The Potters produced a commanding display and won the contest 2–1 with goals from Walters and Joselu whilst Troy Deeney scored a consolation for the home side late on.

Jakob Haugaard made his Premier League debut in-place of Butland for the visit of Swansea City in what proved to another frustrating home match for the Potters.

Afellay and Bojan put Stoke into a seemingly commanding 2–0 lead but two late goals from Gylfi Sigurðsson and Alberto Paloschi earned the Swans a 2–2 draw.

Stoke were well beaten 4–1 with goals from Alberto Moreno, Daniel Sturridge and a brace from Divock Origi whilst a header from Bojan proved to be a mere consolation.

West Ham threatened to extended their lead with Shay Given denying Diafra Sakho before Imbula fired in a low shot past Darren Randolph.