Stoke City really have the feeling of a club who are preparing for a big future.

After spending many years in the Premier League it's been a tricky time for the Potters who have struggled to really kick on since being relegated to the Championship from the top flight.

Things haven't gone exactly smoothly, but with some astute signings there's no doubt that Michael O'Neill's side could be challenging for promotion this term.

Stoke have had some wonderful players over the years and can boast an impressive roster of English players who have formed the spine of their team for many years.

So who are Stoke City's top 10 best English players from the last 20 years? We've had a look...

He's commonly known as one of Sky Sports' top EFL pundits, but of course Danny Higginbotham enjoyed a top career before hanging up his boots.

The defender started his career with Manchester United before moving on and enjoying spells with Derby County, Southampton and Sunderland.

Higginbotham had two spells with Stoke City during his career and made 128 appearances for the club.

He may not have been a player who will be regarded as one of the top defenders in the Premier League, but there's no doubt that he built a reputation among the top flight's mid-table sides.

A player who was once tipped to be England's number one goalkeeper for many years.

Jack Butland came through the ranks with Birmingham City before completing a move to Stoke City in 2013 where it was hoped that he would kick on and prove himself as one of the best.

He spent seven years with Stoke City but failed to fulfill his early-career potential.

That said, the 28-year-old did make 168 appearances for the Potters and stuck with the club after their relegation from the Premier League.

With nine senior caps to his name, there's no doubt that he's still regarded as one of the best English players of the last 20 years for Stoke City.

A player who was regarded as an excellent player in the Premier League.

Matthew Upson started his career with Arsenal before going on to make his name as a top performer for Birmingham City and then West Ham United.

The centre-back moved to Stoke City in 2011 but struggled to establish himself as a first team regular for the Potters during that time, however with 21 caps to his name there's no doubt that he's among the best English players to play for Stoke - even if supporters didn't get to see it for themselves!

The winger qualifies as an English player for the sake of our list after representing the Three Lions at youth level.

Victor Moses started his playing career with Crystal Palace before heading to Wigan Athletic and then Chelsea as his career was given a huge kickstart.

While the speedy winger certainly played regularly for Chelsea, he was also send out on loan numerous times including a spell with Stoke City during the 2014-15 season.

Moses made 23 appearances for the Potters, scoring four goals and creating six more for his teammates.

After growing up in London there's no doubt that we had to make room for the winger, even though he's gone on to get 37 caps for Nigeria.

The popular striker just had to be given a spot in our top 10 list.

Peter Crouch started his career with Queens Park Rangers and Tottenham Hotspur before moving on to Portsmouth, Aston Villa, Southampton and Liverpool.

Following another spell with Spurs, the attacker moved to Stoke City in 2011 where he stayed for eight years, making a rather impressive 261 appearances for the club.

During that time he scored 61 goals and created 27 more for his teammates, proving his genuine value to the team.

In truth, Crouch could have been higher up on our list, particularly given his record of 22 goals in 42 games for England.

The full-back is quite possibly the Premier League's most underrated full-backs of recent years.

Phil Bardsley started his career with Manchester United before moving to Sunderland in 2008 following a number of loan spells.

After six years at the Stadium Of Light, the full-back completed a move to Stoke City in 2014 where he stayed for two and a half successful years.

In that time Bardsley made 63 appearances for the Potters before moving on to Burnley where he's since made another 74 appearances for Sean Dyche's side.

The defender is undoubtedly Stoke City's most successful English - based on his time at the club at least.

Ryan Shawcross moved on loan to the Potters in 2007 - a move that started a lengthy stay at the Bet365 Stadium which saw him become a modern day club legend.

Shawcross stayed for 13 and a half years, making 453 appearances for the club and scoring 25 goals in the process.

He may have only won one cap in that time, but there's no doubt that the Stoke skipper is deserving of a spot in our list.

A player who enjoyed a wonderful career at Stoke City and beyond.

Glen Johnson started his career with West Ham but went on to make his name as a key player for both Chelsea and Liverpool during his prime years.

After a successful spell with Portsmouth, the right-back moved to Stoke City in 2015 where he stayed for three and a half years before retiring in January 2019.

As well as picking up 54 caps for England, Johnson made 64 appearances for the Potters during his time at the club, and while his career may have been ticking down, it was clear that he was a class player.

Few can argue with Jonathan Woodgate's CV when it comes to a playing career.

The defender came through the ranks with Leeds United where he made 133 appearances before moving on to Newcastle United.

From there, Woodgate completed a memorable move to Real Madrid but it was there when his injuries problems started - something that would stop him from continuing his career at the highest level.

Spells with Middlesbrough and Tottenham would follow, but Woodgate moved to Stoke City in the summer of 2011 on a one-year deal.

He made 21 appearances for the club, but while he was far from his best for the Potters, there's no doubt that a player of his quality is deserving of a spot near the top of our list.

A player who has to be Stoke City's best-ever Englishman.

Michael Owen's emergence as a top player for Liverpool saw him propel himself into the role of being of the worlds' best young players.

The striker then moved to Real Madrid where he spent a season of his career, scoring 16 goals in the process.

After that Owen moved back to England and enjoyed time with Newcastle United and Manchester United, however a series of injuries stopped him from being the player that promised so much during his early days.

With 89 England caps to his name, Michael Owen moved to Stoke City where he made just nine appearances for the club; but while his time was far from a glowing success, few could argue that it was simply a major coup to sign a player of his caliber in the first place.