The goals are spread around quite evenly for Stoke City. A total of seven different players have scored for the Potters in Michael O’Neill’s 3-5-2 set-up.
The team returns a vast majority of last year’s scoring success, including Jacob Brown (6), Tyrese Campbell (7), Steven Fletcher (9) and Nick Powell (12). This year, Powell already has two goals under his belt, while newcomer Sam Surridge (signing for the club in August after spending six years in the AFC Bournemouth system) has scored two and recorded an assist.
The Potters put three past Reading, two past Fleetwood in the first round of the Carabao Cup, and another three goals past Swansea in the team’s last away match. Between the posts, former Rovers loanee Josef Bursik has earned two clean sheets this season against Nottingham Forest and Birmingham City.
Jacob Brown
After beginning his career in the Sheffield Wednesday Academy, Jacob Brown eventually found a home at Barnsley. He spent four years at Oakwell before making a permanent move to Stoke City in September 2019. Last season, the Halifax born winger scored six goals across all competitions, and has already opened his account for 2021/22 with a goal scored as part of a 3-2 win over Reading. He’s played in all five games for the Potters this season, picking up a start in four of those contests, while going on to produce one assist. He’s had 15 touches in the opponent’s box and dribbled past six defenders.
Nick Powell
A seasoned footballer with ties to Crewe Alexandra, Wigan Athletic and Manchester United alike, Nick Powell led the Potters in scoring last season with 12 goals across all competitions. Following the 2020/21 campaign, he was named the club’s Player of the Year. Born in Crewe, Powell has represented England at U16, U17, U18, U19 and U21 levels. He arrived in Stoke from Wigan in June 2019. Already this season, the attacking midfielder has put away two goals (five shots total) and provided one assist in three appearances. Both of his goals have come from outside the box. In the midfield area, he’s collected five interceptions, and won 13 of his 37 duels.
Sam Surridge
The 23 year-old former AFC Bournemouth player arrived at Stoke City on August 4 2021, inking a four-year contract with the club after spending six years in the Cherries system. Sam Surridge served loan spells at Weymouth (2015-16), Poole Town (2016), Yeovil (2017-18), Oldham Athletic (2018-19) and Swansea City (2019-20). Internationally, he’s collected three caps for the England U21 side with one goal coming against Slovenia in 2019. Since his arrival to the Bet365 Stadium, Surridge has registered a two goals in five appearances - also providing an assist. His passing accuracy sits at 81% with 34 completed passes on 42 attempts. He’s dribbled past five defenders, picking up 20 touches in the opposition’s box – with both of his goals this season coming inside the box as well.
Josh Tymon
Josh Tymon signed his first contract with Stoke City in 2017, rejecting a contract extension offer from Hull City. After coming to the Bet365 Stadium, he was loaned to MK Dons (2018) and Famalicão in Portugal. A gifted and hard-working defender, Tymon plays primarily at left back for the Potters. He’s made four appearances in 2021/22, winning 23 duels and providing nine clearances. He’s won 80 per cent (4 of 5) of his tackles, collecting five interceptions and putting in 12 passes. Tymon’s passing accuracy sits at 63 per cent, successfully completing 64 of 102 pass attempts. On the international level, Tymon has represented the Three Lions of England at the U17, U18, U19 and U20 level of competition. In 2017, he was a member of the U20 England side that won the Toulon Tournament.