The strongest reaction appears to have centred on Baker. The update says he spent five seasons at ST4, becoming a regular midfield presence and a player many supporters came to identify with. Over his time with the Potters, he is reported to have scored 30 goals in 130 appearances, with 92 starts in the Championship.
That helps explain why his departure has stirred emotion.
That split is telling. Baker seems to have been valued not only for output, but for familiarity and commitment. Even when opinions differed on his ceiling, he remained a recognisable part of Stoke’s midfield.
With Nzonzi, the story feels more reflective than emotional. The report says he returned last August, almost a decade after his first spell, and made 31 appearances, including 17 starts, in the most recent campaign.
His comeback carried obvious nostalgia. This was a player who had once shone for Stoke, later built an elite-level career and became a World Cup winner with France. But this second chapter looked more like a final contribution than a long-term reset.
Stoke now appear set for a midfield reshuffle, and replacing Baker’s experience may be the more delicate task. The next storyline to watch is who the club targets to fill that leadership and continuity gap before the new Championship campaign begins.