There were few signs of a potent partnership in West Ham United’s frontline during Saturday’s disastrous Premier League opener away to Sunderland.
Niclas Fullkrug was relishing El Hadji Malick Diouf’s presence on the left-hand side. A very modern wing-back, the £19 million signing from Slavia Prague brings to Graham Potter’s table the sort of pinpoint delivery Fullkrug is crying out for.
But on an afternoon in which Fullkrug and Diouf were stuck on the periphery – much to the frustration of an exasperated Tony Cottee – a pair of former West Ham United starlets found themselves on the right side of another 3-0 scoreline.
Divin Mubama has exploded out of the blocks at Stoke City.
On loan from Manchester City, and one year after he left the Hammers in contentious circumstances, Mubama marked his Stoke bow in style. A thumping, stoppage-time header in a dramatic 3-1 victory over Derby County.
One week later, Mubama was on hand again.
After hitting the net 58 times for West Ham at Under-18 and Under-21 level, and following 16 in 14 appearances for Manchester City’s reserves, Mubama has made a rather effortless transition into the men’s game.
The striker is only one half of a soaring Stoke partnership, however. If Mubama and Sorba Thomas can build on a flying start, a long-awaited promotion push may finally be on the cards in the Potteries.
Divin Mubama and Sorba Thomas celebrates during Stoke City v Derby County - Sky Bet Championship
Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images
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Former West Ham United youngsters Divin Mubama and Sorba Thomas star for Stoke City
While many at West Ham were devastated to see Divin Mubama leave – especially for a Man City side where opportunities may be even harder to come by – Sorba Thomas’s departure came about in very different circumstances.
It was Mubama who opted to leave West Ham in 2024. Nine years earlier, though, it was West Ham who pushed Sorba Thomas out the door.
Speaking to the BBC a few seasons back, Thomas described his departure from the Hammers’ academy as a ‘smack in the face’. Nearly a decade later, and still yet to reach his peak at the age of 26, Sorba Thomas is doing his best to pay back that smack in the face by sending a custard pie in the other direction.
Sorba Thomas celebrates during Belgium v Wales - FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier
Photo by Rene Nijhuis/MB Media/Getty Images
Taking his international form onto the club stage – Sorba Thomas was ‘outstanding’ for Wales during June’s valiant 4-3 defeat by Belgium – the summer signing tops the assist charts with three in just two Championship matches.
Alongside Mubama, he also found the net on debut against Derby.
“Mubama looked really lively again,” Football League expert George Elek said on the latest edition of the Not the Top 20 podcast. “I think he looks really exciting in terms of both his movement and also his finishing ability.
“Sometimes, you can see basically instinct and this is a guy who knows exactly how to score goals.
He scored the goal just after half-time to put them 2-0 up after really good work from Sorba Thomas, who looked great, really lively down that left side with [Million] Manhoef playing off the right.
“For Stoke, what a start for them.”
Manchester City loanee Mubama tipped for England Under-21 role
With former West Ham youngsters Mubama and Thomas leading by example, Stoke are one of only three teams boasting a 100 per cent record after two matchdays, alongside Middlesbrough and West Brom.
It is early days, of course, and the Potters have seen more false dawns than most.
But having not finished higher than 14th since their relegation out of the Premier League in 2018, with two forwards in top form and with a proven Championship manager in Mark Robins, few could blame Stoke supporters for getting a little over-excited.
Divin Mubama celebrates after Arsenal U18 v West Ham United U18 - FA Youth Cup Final
Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images
Elek’s co-host Ali Maxwell, meanwhile, wonders if a promotion to England’s Under-21 set-up may be the next landmark moment for Divin Mubama.
“The number 9 spot in that under-21s squad [may be available],” Maxwell explains. “It would be great if Mubama is as good as we hope he is, and things would be looking healthier on that front in terms of the talent pathway.”
🚨⚠️ Viktor Johansson can leave Stoke City in the next days/weeks. Movements around the goalkeeper with PL clubs keen on signing him.
West Ham considered move but now in advanced talks for Botafogo’s John, as exclusively revealed. pic.twitter.com/1Iu1dIxvfN
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 4, 2025
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At the other end of the pitch, Stoke goalkeeper Viktor Johansson made a ‘stunning’ save to keep out a lesser-spotted Barry Bannan overhead kick in Saturday’s three-goal trouncing of troubled Sheffield Wednesday.
Per Fabrizio Romano, West Ham considered Johansson before spending £18 million on Mads Hermansen instead.