Jack Butland has launched a withering assessment of Stoke’s “farcical” recruitment policy as the inquest begins over the club’s relegation from the Premier League.

Butland was in tears after the final whistle as Stoke’s drop into the Championship was confirmed and insists the poor signings made over the past two years are a major reason for their plight.

Stoke have spent over £50m on Saido Berahino, Kevin Wimmer and Giannelli Imbula, but none of the expensive trio were involved in the crucial game against Crystal Palace.

Berahino has been excluded from Paul Lambert’s plans for persistent lateness and poor discipline, Wimmer is deemed unfit to play while record signing Imbula is on loan at Toulouse.

Lambert has also had to deal with other issues – Jese Rodriguez, signed on loan from Paris St. Germain, had his deal terminated early and Ibrahim Afellay was bombed out for criticising team-mates in training.

England goalkeeper Butland’s future is also uncertain for different reasons, with Premier League clubs lining up to take him, but he has pointed the finger at Stoke’s bad buys for their relegation.

“Stoke has got a massive place in my heart and it hurts because I’ve given everything and it’s a horrible feeling,” he said.