In recent years, more and more players from little Wales are starting to play in top European teams, and they are doing so well that they are becoming a welcome acquisition for any club. These players include Joe Allen - a football player whose name is already known far beyond the borders of his homeland.
The first steps
The future central midfielder Joseph Michael Allen (full name of the football player) was born in 1990 in the small Welsh town of Carmarthen. The family later moved to Fishguard. From early childhood, Joe Allen was fond of football and played at a local school, where at the age of 9 he was noticed by the Scouts from Swansea City and invited to the team.
In this club, he spent several years, speaking first for the youthful, and later for the youth composition. His game progressed every year, and in 2007 he signed his first professional contract for three years.
Career at Swansea City
Brendan Rogers became the coach who was able to fully see and appreciate the full potential of the future star of Wales. This mentor has given the footballer a special place in his own game-building system. Joe Allen became the link that combined the entire center of the field with attack and defense.
During the game for Swansea City, Joe becomes one of the main characters on the field and is even repeatedly recognized as the best player of the year.
Joe Allen, Liverpool
After Rogers signed a contract with the English “Liverpool”, he was one of the first to invite Allen with him, although there was an unspoken agreement that for at least one year the players of “Swansea” will not play in the English football league.
Starting a career at Liverpool was very successful. Joe held the position of a defensive defender and did an excellent job with new tasks for himself. But the second half of the season was not so successful due to a shoulder injury, I even had to undergo surgery.
With each subsequent season, his time in the main team of the Liverpool club only decreased, which could not but affect his physical form. His former club, Swansea City, has repeatedly offered Liverpool to sell Allen, but the latter’s leadership has not yet been ready to part with the player, although he basically replaced. The whole problem is the price - “Swansea” could not pay as much as Liverpool wanted. The team that raised the player at that time was not in the best financial condition, and only some 2 million euros prevented the player from returning to his native land.
National team of wales
In the national team, one of the most beloved and sought after players today is Joe Allen. Wales at the last European Championship to this football player owes his success. A serious attitude to the game, a responsible attitude to training, a willingness to unconditionally carry out all the settings of the coaching staff make it an integral part of the Welsh team.
From 2007 to the present day, Joe Allen has been annually involved in the Wales team, starting to play for the youth team. We can say that it was the career in the national team that was truly successful, and here it is in full demand. Which, unfortunately, could not be said about his already familiar place on the Liverpool's bench.
The championship in France gave the athlete the opportunity to reveal his full playing potential and become one of the leaders of the national team. His match against the Russian team is called the most successful in his career in the Wales team. Joe Allen, like no one else, knows how to set up his teammates before the match and instill confidence in them in victory, for which both the players and the whole coaching staff love him very much.
Time for a change
With the arrival in Liverpool of the German mentor Jurgen Klopp, Allen practically loses his place at the heart of the team, so his transfer to Stoke City did not surprise anyone. It is pointless to spend your best years on the bench, from time to time coming out for a replacement at the end of the match. Even the most talented football player will lose all his qualities without sufficient playing practice.
Joe Allen signed a contract with the new club for 5 years. I would like to hope that “Stoke City” will become exactly the club where the player will finally play in full force. Moreover, 26 years is the heyday of physical fitness, but Allen cannot be blamed for his lack of football talent.