Robert Bozenik says he has improved a lot from his first taste of English football and is set on becoming the “number one” striker at Stoke City.
The Slovakia forward joined the Potters last summer on a three-year deal from Portuguese second division side FC Boavista but saw his debut season in England hit by a shoulder injury at the start of 2026.
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After scoring his first goal in a 1-0 win at Hull on New Year’s Day, Bozenik suffered a shoulder injury that would keep him out for nearly four months.
He returned to squad for three more games, starting the final home match of 2025-26 against Portsmouth.
Bosenik said his first campaign with the Potters was a bit of a rollercoaster.
“I learned a lot since last season – the last 12 months was quite up and down with the injury,” he told BBC Radio Stoke.
“I came to a new league, new team, new club [and] there’s a learning process. I was learning a lot that English football, especially the Championship, is a really tough competition and you need to know what to expect, how you need to react, where you need to run.”
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He added that when he first came to the bet365 Stadium he wanted to “score goals every game” but quickly realised that was “impossible”.
“You need to take this process and it is a lot of up and downs but I have improved a lot of things from last season,” he said.
“I’m stronger, I’m fitter and I’m smarter than before. I want to be the number one striker and the decision is always on the manager, so my job is just to work hard and show him my qualities.”
Bozenik working on ‘moments in the box’
Despite scoring only once in 22 Championship appearances, Bozenik said he does not feel under any extra pressure this coming season, adding setting a target of 20 goals this term “does not help me”.
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“You need to be relaxed, to be calm. I want to be part of the success, I want to be part of this team who has achieved really big goals,” he said.
“If my wingers score 20 goals and we will be promoted to the Premier League, I really don’t care.
“If I score the goals and they have assist numbers and the team will be successful that will be even better.”
To try to do that Bozenik has worked hard with Potters boss Mark Robins to improve on what he called “moments in the box”.
“I learned a lot of things. A lot of conversation with the manager – a lot of videos. It’s a process you need to learn, it’s not that easy,” he said.
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“You need to react. Where to run, where the ball can go, whether you want to push the defender, where the cross probably will go, what the wingers are usually doing.
“I think I’ve improved a lot in these things in the box.
“I’m working hard every day to be the best possible version of myself and I’m 100% sure I’m getting there.”
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