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 N'Zonzi 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.

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