Browsing: Stoke City

Stoke activated their option to hand the former Chelsea star an extension to his contract at the start of June after the midfielder impressed over the course of the 2020-21 season.

The erstwhile Chelsea man won a Champions League and two Premier League titles with Chelsea, regularly captaining Stoke last season.

The Foxes make the trip to the bet365 Stadium sitting third in the top flight, while opponents Stoke are eighth in the Championship.

The former Super Eagles captain was not in the Potters squad that put up a good performance despite a 3-1 loss to Tottenham Hotspur in the quarterfinal of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday evening, a game he badly wanted to be involved in given his Chelsea past and relationship with Jose Mourinho.

Two first half goals were enough for Stoke City to seal victory – capitalising on two chances and frustrating the Royals’ attempts to get back into the game

Mikel alongside Tom Smith, Tom Barkhuizen, Scott Sinclair and Sam Clucas were the mainstay in the midfield of the Potters.

The 33-year-old slotted into the midfield holding role for a 0-0 draw at Millwall, who could only force one shot on target.

Mikel, 33, netted the second goal of the duel, which was played behind close door at the bet365 stadium.

Mikel arrives in the Potteries as O’Neill’s fourth summer signing, having played half-a-season under Pulis at play-off chasing Middlesbrough in 2018/19.

The 33-year-old has become his new manager’s fourth signing of the summer after passing a medical on Monday afternoon.

Mikel, 33, won an array of honours during an 11-year stay at Stamford Bridge and returns to English football after a spell in the Turkish Super Lig with Trabzonspor

The Nigerian midfielder is currently a free agent after leaving Turkish outfit Trabzonspor by mutual consent back in March

The former Nigeria captain, 33, is a free agent having left Turkish side Trabzonspor by mutual consent in March.

The 33-year-old left title-chasing Trabzonspor in March by mutual consent.

The Potters had been due to face Manchester United in a friendly on Tuesday ahead of the Premier League and Championship campaigns getting back underway, more than three months after play was halted as a result of the coronavirus pandemic

Michael O’Neill has permanently left his role as Northern Ireland manager after eight years in charge.

Victor Moses has been handed jersey number 11 after sealing a loan move to Serie A giants, Inter Milan, on Thursday.

Jones admitted he was resigned to losing his job in October, but back-to-back wins over Swansea and Fulham kept him in the role for the rest of the month.

Brendan Rodgers took his strongest XI to the Bet365 Stadium to take on Stoke City, while assistant Chris Davies lead a weakened-yet-still strong line-up for a clash with the League One Millers.

Former England striker, Peter Crouch, announced on Friday his retirement from football after more than two decades as a professional.