There were mixed reactions from Liverpool fans after the club confirmed the sale of midfielder Joe Allen to Stoke City, with the majority of the Reds’ supporters seemingly disappointed by the Welshman’s departure.
Liverpool accepted a £13m offer from the Potters last week and recently announced the departure of Joe Allen to Stoke City on their official website . The Merseyside club wished Allen all the best in his future endeavours as the former Swansea City man prepares himself for a new challenge in the Premier League.
Joe Allen is Stoke City’s second signing of the summer as Mark Hughes continues his revolution at the Britannia Stadium. Twitter was abuzz after the news of the Welshman’s departure broke, with both clubs announcing the move on their Twitter feeds.
Joe Allen has completed a permanent transfer to Stoke City: https://t.co/SiQd9Fks4b
Wishing you all the best, Joe. pic.twitter.com/EqWMk69qZF
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) July 25, 2016
BREAKING | Stoke City are delighted to announce the signing of Joe Allen from @LFC on a 5-year deal #SCFC pic.twitter.com/3XqQ8EFyyk
— Stoke City FC (@stokecity) July 25, 2016
Liverpool fans seemed to be disappointed by the fact that Joe Allen was sold by the club after an impressive showing at Euro 2016 which saw him named in the Team of the Tournament. The fans also opined that the Welsh midfielder would be a great addition to the Stoke squad.
Great signing for @stokecity with Joe Allen coming in. Very underrated by so many and we saw his talent in the euros.
— Danny Higginbotham (@Higginbotham05) July 25, 2016
why would you sell Joe Allen?
— Alexander Qualter (@alexqualter) July 26, 2016
Surprised Liverpool let Joe Allen leave to Stoke given how technically deficient most of their central midfield are ???
— TwinkleTips-OFFICIAL (@TwinkleTip_) July 26, 2016
No happy we’ve kept ballo over Joe Allen! #lfc gone mad
— Random Robbie (@Random_Robbie) July 26, 2016
Joe Allen >>>>> Henderson
Go argue far away from me— Brian M™ (@Malloy_Bryan) July 26, 2016
Shame to see Joe Allen go. Seems a bargain for Stoke. Good luck to him. ⚽️
— ReAleLiverpool (@RealeLiverpool) July 26, 2016
Meanwhile, some believed the decision to sell Allen was correct and were particularly surprised at the outrage over the transfer. Others poked fun at the transfer fee involved.
How is Joe Allen worth £13 million ???
— seb lane (@sebblanee) July 26, 2016
– Dimitri Payet cost West Ham £10 million.
– Joe Allen cost Stoke City £13 million. pic.twitter.com/nkMBsufQXl
— BBC Sporf (@BBCSporf) July 20, 2016
Wow why are people acting like Joe Allen is the next big thing ?
Just coz he had a good 4 months doesnt mean he was a world beater.— Vinyas (@vinyas_mustang) July 26, 2016
Joe Allen to Stoke for £13M ?
He had a couple of half descent games at the euros.
That’s like me making one good dinner & the Savoy calling.— Danny (@qprrforme) July 26, 2016
@BBCSport £13m for Joe Allen… SHITS ALL MESSED UP.
Not to long ago he was a £3m player tops
— Paul Le Comte (@five15design) July 26, 2016
While some ridiculed the transfer fee involved, others were more circumspect in their assessment.
Can someone explain to me how Paul Pogba is worth £100m when Joe Allen is only worth £13m? bizarre?!
— daniel handforth (@red_dan77) July 26, 2016
£13m for Joe Allen looks like daylight robbery when you remember that Man U spent £28m on Veron back in 2001….. @LieutenantCool
— Rhys Jones (@spinksjones) July 26, 2016
Joe Allen named in Euro team of the tournament – £13M. Jordan Ibe – done sweet fa – £15M
— Bryn Hughes (@bh_bryn) July 26, 2016
One particular fan trolled former Liverpool striker Michael Owen over his statement in the past.
Michael Owen: “Players can only leave Liverpool for Barcelona or
Real Madrid” 25/7/2016: Joe Allen signs a 5 year contract
with Stoke City— Sammie (@samlovaboy) July 26, 2016
Joe Allen himself admitted the transfer was fairly abrupt.
“It was relatively out of the blue. Things moved quickly.”
Joe Allen arrives at Stoke.https://t.co/3St7ixkhYp pic.twitter.com/cTZ7WUFJMU
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 25, 2016
The general consensus among the Anfield faithful seemed to be that the transfer of Joe Allen was a mistake, especially taking into account the transfer fee involved. There was a sense around the club that Allen’s Euro 2016 performance was just the start and that the Welsh midfielder would kick on and deliver consistently match-defining performances.
Only time will tell whether the Reds will come to rue their decision, but at present, the fans seem to feel that the Potters have benefited vastly from the capture of the Welshman.
