Jack Butland

Peter Coates, his chairman at Stoke City

We took a chance when we signed him from Birmingham City [for £3.5 million in January 2013] because he was unproven. But our guys rated him really highly and had no doubts he would prove an outstanding signing.

In the 2015-16 season, he was excellent for us and proved he was clearly the best goalkeeper in England. I just think he has had a bit of bad luck with the [ankle] injury, which he picked up playing for England, and we missed him for a year.

That has set him back but he has got over the disappointment of not playing in Russia and I know Gareth appreciates the big part he has played around the squad. He is a super lad, very intelligent and a good team player.