Three things we learnt from Chelsea’s 2-1 victory over Stoke City

Add as preferred source on Google

How do Stoke move up to the next level?

Under Mark Hughes, Stoke have finished in ninth position in each of the previous three seasons. Currently, they sit in – yes, you’ve guessed it – ninth position, which is realistically the highest they can finish. Hughes has done a commendable job at the Midlands club but is searching for the answer to take the club to the next level. He has added real quality to the squad during his time in charge, with the likes of Joe Allen and Marko Arnautovic proving that Stoke is a club with plenty of potential to progress. But because they cannot compete financially with the elite clubs in the Premier League, it is hard to imagine how they can break into the top six or seven. The top-flight is almost separated into three mini-leagues, with Stoke in the upper echelon of the middle one. Hughes is an ambitious manager and will relish the challenge of raising Stoke’s profile further, but it will take time to disrupt the established order.