Recently Joe Allen’s name has been flying about in the media, with a potential transfer to Liverpool being mooted as more than a mere possibility. Brendan Rodgers is apparently keen to take the midfielder with him to Anfield after an extremely successful first season together in the Premier League, in which the 22 year-old drove up the price his former manager may pay for him with his consistently impressive passing game.
There will still be critics questioning whether the Swansea City midfielder is actually worth £15million but he has also silenced some of his doubters. Liverpools worst fears will have been confirmed this summer.
Allen proved his potential with some impressive displays and Brendan Rodgers could now be facing a lot more competition for his former Liberty Stadium colleague’s signature.
It is for his passing that he is generally praised, but, in fact, both his attacking and defensive statistics stand out.
Allen is not overtly spectacular in what he does but at just 22 he is mature in the style in which he rotates possession. Rather than attempting to play the show-stopping pass at every opportunity, Allen knows the importance of keeping the ball.
The Welshman also proved he is capable of playing his own game in any setting. Swansea’s team was built to make the most of his talents over time, while Team GB came together at short notice. But Allen still looked at home.
Liverpool, who have discovered the hard way that players cannot always automatically find their feet in a new setting (Jordan Henderson and Charlie Adam) will have been watching with interest.
Swansea’s new manager, Michael Laudrup, has pointed to the fact that Liverpool spent £17million on Jordan Henderson last summer, and he feels that Allen should cost more.
“He is worth a lot of money because he’s a good player,” said Laudrup.
“The manager knows him and knows if he wants to change the way Liverpool play he needs a player in the midfield like Joe Allen.”
If Rodgers is prepared to pay the fee for the young Welshman he has the potential to be a great player at Anfield. Allen would be a regular first team player for Liverpool, providing the side with the core needed for Tika Taka football – the style of play that Rodgers loves.