Stoke City’s Premier League Player of the Month for March

Name: Xherdan Shaqiri
Position: Midfielder

Shaqiri is Stoke’s club-record signing after arriving from Serie A outfit Inter Milan last summer – Photo: Mark Leech

Despite there not being an obvious stand out performer from March’s proceedings in a Potters shirt, this imaginary gong goes to winger Xherdan Shaqiri following his winner against Newcastle United.

The 24-year-old, who arrived at the Britannia Stadium back in August 2015 following his club-record £12m switch from Inter Milan, scored the only goal of the game against the Magpies on March 2 to seal Stoke City’s first win of just two victories last month – although Shaqiri didn’t feature against Watford less than three weeks ago.

Shaqiri, who has scored three goals and provided five further assists in 28 appearances in all competitions for Mark Hughes’ side so far this season, has gradually progressed and lived up to the hype following his marquee arrival last summer, having also enjoyed previous spells at FC Basel and Bundesliga giants FC Bayern Munich.

After netting the winner against Newcastle, the tricky winger put in another impressive performance, starring for 90 minutes at Stamford Bridge as Stoke salvaged a 1-1 draw against the defending Premier League champions in the next outing.