Mark Hughes has said that he is "really pleased" with the technical abilities of his Stoke City players.

The club earned a reputation for being robust during Tony Pulis's reign at the Potters, but Hughes has found his players to be technically gifted.

"I have to say I've been really pleased with the technical ability of the squad as a whole," said Hughes.

"I think maybe I've been guilty of assuming there's a certain type of player here.

"That's not the case I've been really pleased with what I've found here and the level of ability that's in the building."

Hughes has signed defenders Erik Pieters and Marc Muniesa from PSV Eindhoven and Barcelona respectively this summer.