Stoke City

Two sides locked in last season's Championship relegation battle meet to mark a new campaign as Stoke City host Derby County on Saturday (15:00 BST).

The Potters ended their season in 18th place just one point above the Rams, who finished in 19th.

Derby were just one point clear of relegated Luton Town and both sides will be hoping to get off to a good start as they look to avoid another relegation scrap this season.

• Stoke City have won just two of their last nine league games against Derby County (D4 L3), though both victories have come on home soil via a one-goal margin in 2021 and 2024.

• Derby County have won just four of their 31 away league games against Stoke City (D9 L18) but did win on their second last visit to the bet365 Stadium in December 2021 (2-1).

• Stoke have won three of their last four opening day fixtures (L1), with each of those victories in that time coming on home soil.

• Derby have lost their opening league game in the last two seasons, last having a longer run of defeats on MD1 between 1980 and 1984 (5).

• Stoke failed to score in each of their last three league games in 2024-25 – they last went four without a goal in March 2019.

Image source, Getty Images

Stoke City are in a strong position to be able to compete in the Championship, according to sporting director Jon Walters.

The Potters are about to embark on their eighth successive season in the second tier since relegation from the Premier League, during which time they have failed to finish in the top half of the table.

Walters, who spent seven years as a player at Stoke, believes their recruitment work over the summer gives them a chance to improve on recent seasons.

"We've brought in six so far and I think the squad is in a really strong position - we've covered most positions twice," he told the club website., external

"I feel if you look at the squad now, to where we were 18 months and 12 months ago, we're in the strongest position we've been in for a while to compete in this league."

Stoke's highest finish since dropping into the Championship is 14th, with current boss Mark Robins their seventh permanent head coach in that time.

"You need a squad of 24 or 25 players that are right at it, pushing each other but have that quality to compete in this league," added Walters.

"The transfer window isn't over - we're looking to add more in but the right person who fits into our group and family of players and staff and buys into what we're doing and where we want to go."

Stoke open the new Championship season at home to Derby on Saturday (15:00 BST).

Image source, Rex Features

There is still lots more to come from new Potters striker Robert Bozenik, according to Stoke City boss Mark Robins.

The 25-year-old Slovakian international joined the Potters from Portuguese side Boavista last month and Robins believes he has the perfect attitude to be a success.

"There's loads to come from him because he hasn't done a pre-season but he's been working on his own and that's credit to him because he looks fit," Robins told BBC Radio Stoke.

"It's exciting, really exciting and [fellow forward] Divin (Mubama) is also working hard and really is getting little service at the moment.

"But that will come for him because he works so hard and once the players get used to that, they'll find him and he can finish - there's no doubt about it and it's the same with Bozenik, he can finish."

Stoke have also been linked with their former midfielder Steven Nzonzi, who is available after leaving Iranian side Sepahan.

The 36-year-old, who made more than 100 appearances in a three-year spell with City between 2012 and 2015, is back training with the club but Robins says there is nothing to read into that at the moment.

"He's with us, he's training and Steven's doing pretty well so we'll keep you posted," he said.

Stoke finished their pre-season programme with a 1-0 win over Burnley at the weekend and begin the new Championship season at home to Derby on Saturday (15:00 BST)

Image source, Getty Images

With less than than two weeks to go, Stoke City's preparations for the new Championship season are a "joy to be part of", says goalkeeper Viktor Johansson.

The Sweden international has been getting to know the club's new arrivals this summer and says the six recruits - strikers Robert Bozenik and Divin Mubama, winger Sorba Thomas and defenders Aaron Cresswell, Ashley Phillips and Maksym Talovierov - have settled in well.

"The new boys have fitted right in and it's got that family feel - it's a joy to come in every day," Johansson told BBC Radio Stoke.

"You can see the new connections starting to feel and it's a nice feeling.

"Of course it takes a bit of time but it's what you do. You speak about things - 'what do I think', 'what do I do?' - this group want to know everyone's story and when you get to know a person you can speak about everything.

"We've got to that stage where, if I need to say something, I can say it to anyone and I think that's what you want as a football club - that openness."

Having drawn 1-1 with Premier League Wolverhampton Wanderers in a friendly at the weekend, Stoke take on another top-flight opponent, Burnley, in their final warm-up match on Saturday.

Johansson says he is starting to "see glimpses" of the things they have been working on with boss Mark Robins in their play as they start to focus on their opening game of the new season, at home to Derby County on 9 August.

"It's a great squad and one of the best changing rooms I've been in," he said.

"Everybody wants the same thing."

Stockport County are in talks with Stoke City over English forward Nathan Lowe after the 19-year-old impressed in a loan spell at Walsall in League Two last season. (Football Insider), external

Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Tuesday's gossip column here.

Stoke City manager Mark Robins said Bosun Lawal could feature in a number of positions during the upcoming Championship campaign after an injury-hit debut season with the side.

The Irishman joined the Potters in August 2024 but was sidelined for much of the season with a back injury, playing just seven Championship games.

But the versatile Lawal, who can play in defence or midfield, is keen to make a bigger impact this campaign and his performances in pre-season are certainly catching the eye of his boss.

"There's bits and pieces where [Lawal] looks fantastic at times," Robins told BBC Radio Stoke following the 1-1 friendly draw with Premier League side Wolves on Saturday.

"His feet are brilliant. He looked like [Franz] Beckenbauer, coming out with the ball as well.

"He can play anywhere with the feet that he's got. They are quite soft and he's got a really good touch. He can finish, as you saw on Wednesday evening [when he scored in the 2-1 victory over Crewe Alexandra].

"He's worked his socks off this pre-season and gives himself every chance. His build and his qualities make him a welcome addition to the squad."

Listen to the full post-match interview with Mark Robins and more on BBC Sounds.

"I'm very excited with what's to come.

"I'm looking forward to bringing energy, physicality, goals and some heavy hits."

Stoke City midfielder Bosun Lawal tells BBC Radio Stoke he is ready to start the upcoming season after an injury-curtailed 2024-25 campaign.

Listen to the full interview and more on Stoke City on BBC Sounds.

Image source, Rex Features

Stoke City forward Million Manhoef says he "can't wait to get rocking" this season and is confident the Potters are building a squad capable of improving on a disappointing 2024-25.

Given Stoke only secured their Championship status on the final day last season, finishing two points above the relegation zone, that should not be too difficult.

But, heading into an eighth straight season in the second tier, Stoke fans will feel a sustained challenge for promotion back to the Premier League is very overdue.

"For the team, the ambition is always to aim as high as possible," Manhoef told BBC Radio Stoke.

"We've had some hard years but we want to finish as high as we can, of course, and we are building a team that can do that."

Four players have come in so far this summer - former West Ham left-back Aaron Cresswell, Wales winger Sorba Thomas, on-loan Manchester City striker Divin Mubama and defender Maksym Talovierov.

And Manhoef, who is now back with Stoke after playing in the European Under-21 Championship with the Netherlands, says the vibe at the club is optimistic.

"You are always confident, and last year was the same, but now we have a more stable group with not so many changes," he said.

"When the patterns are right and the structure is right the players can get a new level and that's what the coaches are trying to do - getting people to shine.

"If everything goes how we want it then I can get high eyes and we'll see where we end up.

"It's quite early to say what our ambitions are but we want a better season than last year. I love playing at the bet365 [stadium] and I can't wait to get rocking."

PSV look set to win the race for Stoke City and England under-18s midfielder Sol Sidibe, 18, who has also attracted the interest of Lille and an unnamed Premier League club. (Sky Sports, external)

Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Monday's gossip column here.