Stoke City
Stoke City and manager Mark Hughes came into the 2016-17 Premier League season with an optimistic feeling about the road ahead. The Potters had every reason to feel this way.
A ninth-place league finish last term showed potential and the addition of Joe Allen from Liverpool provided great depth in the midfield. The club boasts quality in the attack with Xherdan Shaqiri, Ibrahim Afellay and Bojan Krkic leading the line and supporters were dreaming of a breakout campaign.
But the opening stages of the summer did not start as planned. A knee injury late last season will keep Afellay out of action until next month at best and talented goalkeeper Jack Butland has yet to make an appearance due to injury as well.
Stoke went without a victory in their first seven matches, grabbing only three draws along the way.
Manchester City forward Wilfried Bony was brought in on loan just before the transfer deadline and has scored two goals in eight league appearances thus far. A good recent run of form has helped the club, winning three out of their last four in the Premier League.
Stoke City and Mark Hughes know that being able to score consistently will help in continuing to find positive results. Pairing Sturridge with Bony or Marko Arnautovic would provide excellent pressure on opposing defences.
Sturridge has the capability to position himself well and is dangerous in the air. These attributes could greatly benefit Stoke City moving ahead.