The Dark Horse XI of the upcoming EPL season - players who can turn the fortunes of their teams

9) Marc Muniesa (Stoke City)

Marc Muniesa is the second youngest player ever to feature for Barcelona

The 21-year-old Spanish defender grabbed headlines following his surprise move to Stoke City this July on a free transfer. The second youngest player ever to feature for FC Barcelona is widely expected to start along with Ryan Shawcross in the heart of the Stoke defence.

The La Masia graduate brings to the Stoke defence his ‘on the ball’ skills along with his Barcelona experiences. This is a far cry from the traditional one dimensional defence employed by Tony Pulis at the Potters. Muniesa, along with Erik Pieters at the back, heralds the start of an altogether different Stoke unit under Mark Hughes.