What Does the Future Hold for Wales' All-Action Star Joe Allen at Liverpool?
Joe Allen is enjoying an impressive Euro 2016 campaign. In fact, it could be claimed that he has been one of the tournament’s standout midfielders so far.
Arguably, he has been every bit as influential as both Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey in France, even if their impact has been more noticeable in terms of attacking output.
A quarter-final with Belgium awaits Chris Coleman's side on Friday and that will allow Allen to further stamp his authority on the competition. The Red Devils haven't been hugely impressive yet, and you wouldn't write off Wales reaching the semi-finals.
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Allen has been key for Coleman's side, a typically calming influence in the middle of the park, combining a slick use of the ball with tenacious tackling and an astute reading of the game.
The 26-year-old Liverpool midfielder has enjoyed an 85 per cent pass-completion rate, created five chances and won 52 per cent of his duels, as per Squawka.
Welsh superstar Bale has been one of many to laud Allen. Per the Guardian, the Real Madrid forward said: "I can’t really speak highly enough of him. I think he does the dirty work that maybe goes unnoticed. But for us, we know how vitally important he is and how amazing he’s played."
Allen's assist to set up Ramsey against Russia on June 20 was perfect in its execution, and it summed up the Liverpool midfielder’s creative ability. An internet-breaking nutmeg on Wayne Rooney in the eventual defeat by England was further proof of this new, vastly improved Allen.
Having overcome a tough first few years at Liverpool, the Welshman was a big influence at times in 2015/16. The form of Allen in France may have surprised some who don’t watch him too closely at domestic level, but Reds fans have been admiring his class in recent months.
It must be stressed that not many Liverpool supporters tipped Allen to reach such lofty heights this time last year.
He impressed in his first few matches for the club, having arrived for £15 million from Swansea City in 2012, but he had been a huge disappointment on the whole.
Brendan Rodgers’ constant over-praising certainly never helped him, much like a father who heaps needless pressure on his son at his school sports day.
Ironically, it was the departure of Rodgers—his greatest admirer—that saw the 26-year-old come alive in a Reds shirt. The arrival of Jurgen Klopp seemed to work wonders, and while never a guaranteed regular at any point, Allen produced key cameos time and time again.
Almost from nowhere, he looked a completely different player, with all-round quality evident in almost every performance.
He was excellent in the 6-1 mauling of Southampton in the Capital One Cup quarter-final in December, setting up Daniel Sturridge with a delightful defence-splitting pass for his side’s early equaliser. Allen’s fabulous no-look pass then laid on a goal for Jordon Ibe in the semi-final first-leg win at Stoke City, as his reputation continued to grow.
The late equaliser at home to Arsenal in the Premier League in January was further proof of the Welshman’s increased impact. It was one of two goals Allen scored in 2015/16.
With Jordan Henderson and Emre Can both missing chunks of action during the business end of the season, Allen was tasked with filling the void on a regular basis. He passed with flying colours, and it led to many supporters pleading for him to be offered a new contract this summer.
Allen’s second-half cameo helped turn the UEFA Europa League game on its head against Borussia Dortmund at Anfield, as Klopp’s men registered an unforgettable 4-3 victory. He tightened up a midfield that was being overrun, and his crisp passing added zip and purpose to his side’s play.
The Welshman featured heavily during Liverpool’s league games in April and May, and his performance in the 2-1 victory at Bournemouth was particularly impressive.
In his post-match player ratings, This Is Anfield’s Ben Twelves gushed over his display. He wrote: "Allen did his job as he usually does—diligently and efficiently, making a number of timely interceptions and tackles, as well as making a number of excellent passes."
That perfectly sums up both Allen’s season with Liverpool and his current performances at Euro 2016. Everything is made to look effortlessly simple, and often that goes unnoticed by the casual viewer.
Allen's improved form has coincided with a change in looks for the midfielder, growing his beard and his hair, which has helped with his cult-hero status on Merseyside.
That he's clearly a likeable player also helps—a dying breed in modern football—with Wales captain Ashley Williams explaining about Joe Allen Appreciation Day among the squad.
"We have a WhatsApp messaging group and at least once a week we have a Joe Allen Appreciation Day," Williams told Wales Online. "Great beard, great haircut, great guy, he’s the main man in the squad. Class player too."
Having been dubbed the "Welsh Xavi" by Rodgers upon signing at Anfield, his change in appearance has seen fans brand him the "Welsh Pirlo" instead. He clearly takes it all in the good nature it's intended, as shown in the video below.
Future
Although he has become one of the Reds’ most popular players, his future looks destined to be away from Anfield.
Despite only having a year left on his contract, there have been no talks over a new deal yet, according to the Telegraph’s Matt Law, and Klopp is seemingly not fully convinced.
Aged 26 and in his prime years, Allen is understandably keen to be playing every week in 2016/17, and as ESPN’s Dave Usher stated, without assurances of regular football, why would he sign?
Klopp's pursuit of Poland midfielder Piotr Zielinski, per the Mirror, could be seen as a direct replacement for Allen, and with Henderson, Can, James Milner and Lucas Leiva still to fight for a place, plus fewer games due to no European football next season, Allen won't be getting regular football at Anfield.
The Wales international certainly has a list of admirers should Liverpool offload the midfielder, and he deserves to be playing a starring role somewhere.
Former club Swansea have reportedly had an £8 million bid rejected recently, according to the Liverpool Echo’s David Prentice, while Goal’s Melissa Reddy suggested Sevilla are also interested in acquiring his services.
Allen has the ability to shine at a club of that stature, and his continental style of play could be perfectly suited to La Liga.
If he does move elsewhere this summer, it will be met with great disappointment from a fair chunk of Liverpool supporters. They may argue that transfer targets such as Zielinski are no better than him, and his career trajectory only appears to be on the up.
Supporters, though, must trust Klopp's decision and hope Zielinski—or whoever else arrives to replace Allen—brings something different to the Reds' midfield options.
Should Allen be plying his trade at another club come September, they will have purchased a talented footballer coming into the prime of his career.
Allen is clearly an effective midfielder who can be more than just a bit-part player. For him, a move away would certainly make sense, while his performances at the Euros will hopefully boost his transfer value for Liverpool this summer.
Perhaps the Reds haven't quite got the best out of Allen in his four years at Anfield, and only once he leaves and gets regular football will he be able to prosper and fully shine. Somebody will be acquiring a quality player, wherever he ends up this summer.
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