A small Welsh footballer by the name of Joseph Allen has been absolutely fantastic since making the move from Liverpool to Stoke City.
His time at Anfield largely consisted of being the butt of a joke, as it was perceived that Brendan Rodgers signing him from his former club Swansea was yet another failing in the transfer market in line with the lines of Stewart Downing and Paul Konchesky.
This was greatly unfair on Allen, as most football fans who actually watch football will have known, but nonetheless his name was used more as a punchline than as someone to be feared on a football pitch.
At Euro 2016 many people were surprised to see him perform so well for Wales, but he has continued his fine form for Stoke in the Premier League and now the footballing world is waking up to the fact that he's actually just a very good player.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Allen explained why he is performing so much better, and it's fairly straightforward stuff.
At Liverpool the role I had was always to provide a platform for special players.
The onus was on them to create and score goals, and I think for that reason it was a bit disappointing to come under criticism, but I think the differece since I've moved here first and foremost is the role and responsibility I've been given.
He's a peacock, you've gotta let him fly.
It's a wonder what regular football and a more relaxed environment, and more freedom to create can do for a player, as since making the move, Allen has scored four goals since August which equals the amount he scored in his Liverpool career.
Joe Allen: Has now been directly involved in 6 goals (4 goals, 2 assists) in his last 5 Premier League appearances #STOSWA
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) October 31, 2016
On Monday Night Football, Allen was the star of the show.
Stoke vs Swansea wasn't the most appealing prospect for a live game on Halloween, but after how boring and lifeless Liverpool vs Manchester United was, we we're expecting at least a few goals and talking points, and sure enough we got them.
Stoke earned a valuable win, and Swansea never gave up, but there was only one man being discussed on social media as Joe Allen was a cut-above the rest.
Combined assists and goals in the PL this season:
⚽️ Zlatan & Pogba - 5
⚽️ Joe Allen - 6 pic.twitter.com/1s42MYKY9p— bet365 (@bet365) October 31, 2016
Now I know why Brendan Rodgers called joe Allen the Welsh Xavi! Geezers a baller!
— Paddy Breen (@PaddySheen) October 31, 2016
Joe Allen pulling strings like a well trained harpist this evening. Great to see.
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) October 31, 2016
Joe Allen makes his 100th PL start tonight. His 4 goals in 9 PL games for Stoke equals his total in 91 PL games for Liverpool pic.twitter.com/7zxfMBK2IG
— Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) October 31, 2016
Stoke love Joe Allen so much already they've imagined a world where a little Joe Allen grows from the beard of Joe Allen. pic.twitter.com/qFvlgq6SXu
— Chris Bascombe (@_ChrisBascombe) October 31, 2016
Joe Allen is something else ?
— Josh Howells (@joshhowells97) October 31, 2016
Joe Allen >>> Ozil
— Daniel Delaney (@Delaness_9) October 31, 2016
Well, I guess #Swans have been proven right...Joe Allen isn't worth £13m.
He's worth a hell of a lot more than that.
Appalling decision.— Huw Waghorn (@HuwWaghorn) October 31, 2016
Joe Allen on a another level the input that this player has put in these past couple of months is brilliant @stokecity @premierleague #prem
— zev09rapha (@Zevraphael) October 31, 2016
Joe Allen is so underrated ?
— Lewis Mitchell (@LewisMitchell6) October 31, 2016
Welsh Pirlo Joe Allen with 2 assists against Swansea....#STKSWA
— Mazi Pita (OON) (@Mazipita) October 31, 2016
I'm going to have to put Joe Allen in my fantasy team soon! He's on ???
— Matthew Turner (@MattTurner_WG) October 31, 2016
Joe Allen been superb again tonight. Plenty Swans fans must be tearing you hair out tonight. Should have re signed him whatever the cost
— kurt large (@KurtLarge23) October 31, 2016
Joe Allen is everything they imagined POGBA to be, till an amount of £89m was paid for one..
— THE SOWAH's® (@jamessowah) October 31, 2016
Jesus Christ how good is Joe Allen
— Ross Harris (@RosssHarris) October 31, 2016
Joe Allen, the Welsh Xavi, Messi and Coutinho combined. #Allen #WelshXavi #ynwa
— Lasse Girs (@lgirs) October 31, 2016
If joe Allen wanted 5 billion pound a week to come back we should have been paying it ffs
— marc richards (@marcflush1) October 31, 2016
It's about time.
He had to put up with an awful lot of stick during his time at Liverpool, but he kept going about his business and after being deemed surplus to requirments he has proven his ability to not only play at the Premier League level, but to run the show.
Fair play to you Joe Allen.
