Etebo had a delayed start to the 2019–20 season due to his involvement with Nigeria at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. Stoke began the season in terrible form and found themselves in the Championship relegation places which cost manager Nathan Jones his job in November 2019. Under new manager Michael O'Neill, Etebo was dropped from the squad with O'Neill critical of his efforts in training. This lead him to being linked with a move away from the club in January 2020.