Glenn Whelan is arguably one of the most underrated players Ireland have had in recent times. He was much maligned by many fans, and was often a scapegoat after defeats or poor performances, in a similar vein to Jeff Hendrick recently.
However, he was ever-present in the Stoke City midfield, helping Tony Pulis and his side to many happy years in the Premier League.
Despite this success with Stoke, Whelan does not have fond memories of his departure from the club, which he explained today in an interview with the Mirror.
"Myself, Phil Bardsley, Jon Walters - we all knew the club, loved the club but were all allowed to leave at the same time. It's easy for me to say now but if you go back, then I don't think Stoke would let that many players go at the same time.
“I didn't want to leave. I was more than happy to stay but a deal was accepted behind my back from Aston Villa.
"I had another year left on my contract but I wasn't going to hang around where I'm not wanted. The only thing that disappointed me was nobody really spoke to me from the club.
12 October 2019; James McClean, 11, and Glenn Whelan of Republic of Ireland during the UEFA EURO2020 Qualifier match between Georgia and Republic of Ireland at the Boris Paichadze Erovnuli Stadium in Tbilisi, Georgia. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
“If someone had said beforehand 'this is the way we're going' then I would have shook their hand and that woud have been that. That's the type of guy I am.
“I just think to do it all at the same time without having a backup - there's a right way of doing it but the turnover was too big and results showed that."
If Whelan’s side of the story is true then it undoubtedly poor form from Stoke City, and karma that they were relegated the season after he was released.
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