3 up, 3 down: Featuring Arsenal and Chelsea stars

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Up: Giannelli Imbula

Masrk Hughes very nearly took this place in the up category thanks to the sheer audacity of playing Mame Biram Diouf at right-back in the second half of the Potters’ 3-1 win over Bournemouth, but the plaudits for that victory deserve to go to their new big money signing, Giannelli Imbula.

It isn’t easy moving clubs in January, especially not from Porto to a Stoke team struggling for form after a hat-trick of 3-0 defeats and with a huge £18 million price tag hanging over your head. However, Imbula’s presence in midfield, breaking up the play with interceptions and tackles, as well as some excellent distribution stifled the Cherries and allowed Stoke to control the game, which they won easily. The fact he scored an absolute belter of a left foot volley just makes his performance even better.

Stoke look like they’ve picked up a really fine midfielder.