Joe Allen

[carpediem991]

I always liked to see Joe Allen. Wouldn't like to see him moving to Liverpool. 15m Pounds are indeed too much but if we could do a deal like 8m+Jenas+Carroll on loan, I couldn't say no. But fuck that...nobody wants Jenas...

 

[InOffMeLeftShin]

Joe Allen is a good player for Swansea but wouldn't be for us and won't be for Liverpool.

At the start of last season Swansea were the bookie's favourites to be relegated. The purpose of Swansea's possession game wasn't just like Barcelona or Spain's tiki-taka football which tires out the opposition. The purpose was primarily to take time out of the game. Much of Swansea's possession was in their own half of the pitch. Most of Allen's passes were sideways or backwards. This was fine for Swansea as teams who expected to beat them would become more and more desperate often leading to mistakes that Swansea could capitalise on. The fact is most of the time Swansea were perfectly happy with a draw. This won't be the situation at the Lane or for that matter at Anfield.

Allen doesn't tackle and he doesn't score goals. He retains possession because he is in a team who prioritise that so looks good for Swansea but he's never looked good playing for Wales or Wales U21 and if he came to Spurs people would soon be nostalgic for Jenas.

Why would he be a good player for Swansea and not for us? Got to be honest I don't really see the logic there as we'll be looking to dominate possession and our midfield if we lose Modric will be in need of a player who is able to retain possession and transition the play. Allen did that very well last season. He doesn't score goals and doesn't tackle...hmm the same criticism that has been directed at Modric (although Modric did get his foot in a few times his defensive responsibility last season diminished hugely in the second half of the season and he very rarely hassled a player). Just because we'd have a player who maintained possession well doesn't mean it would result in negative football, in fact I'd find it very hard to imagine us playing negative football with him in the side.

I don't think we'll move for him at that price, this is Levy after all but we could do a lot worse.

 

[RJ1882]

Having watched Joe Allen closely last night I would be happy enough if we signed him. I think we need that sort of player in our squad, though Huddlestone back to fitness negates the need to spend £15m on Allen. He is what I would call a 'knitter'. He knitts things together, from the backline to midfield and attack. He is very composed on the ball, rarely loses possession. For years now we have become used to seeing this style of player in our midfield with first Carrick, then Huddlestone and now Modric. Allen IMHO would be excellent at playing this same role. Like his predecessors a lack of goals might be an issue, and he doesnt seem to possess the long range passing ability of Huddlestone/Carrick or dribbling ability of Modric, but he'd do a very good job in there.

Of course we have Tom Carroll coming through the ranks, who is also the same type of player. Should we be spending £15m on Allen when we have Huddlestone to play that role when required now and Carroll coming through the ranks? Thats up for debate. But we'll need to replace Luka, and if other targets are deemed too expensive then I'd be very comfortable with the signing of Allen.

 

[Ron Burgundy]

Good player, but we can do better than him. The money being talked about is just stupid

 

[jonnyp]

Why would he be a good player for Swansea and not for us? Got to be honest I don't really see the logic there as we'll be looking to dominate possession and our midfield if we lose Modric will be in need of a player who is able to retain possession and transition the play. Allen did that very well last season. He doesn't score goals and doesn't tackle...hmm the same criticism that has been directed at Modric (although Modric did get his foot in a few times his defensive responsibility last season diminished hugely in the second half of the season and he very rarely hassled a player). Just because we'd have a player who maintained possession well doesn't mean it would result in negative football, in fact I'd find it very hard to imagine us playing negative football with him in the side.

I don't think we'll move for him at that price, this is Levy after all but we could do a lot worse.

Allen is very good at intercepting and getting the ball from players so whoever is saying that is plainly wrong and as you say, he's a player that plays a positive game.

 

[brendanb50]

Good player, but we can do better than him. The money being talked about is just stupid

I'm with you on that. Undoubtedly a tidy player, could go on to get a lot better, however he's not a Luka replacement is he? (who is?)

To be honest i think this is more paper talk than genuine story here anyway. Seems to be an easy link for the papers. Don't recall seeing any ITK on it?

 

[Sanj]

The ignorance of people never fails to astound me - Allen is technically a very good player and would actually be a great replacement for Modric in terms of the role he would occupy.

Are there better players out there? Course there are, but then i'd also say we could do a damn sight worse than cast an eye over Allen and i'd certainly prefer him in the centre to Huddlestone.

Absolutely agree with you Felmani - Joe Allen is a fantastic player, and very similar to Luka in so many ways.
Yes he may not be as good as Luka, but not many are, and very few who we could tempt to the lane.
Peeps on here fantasize about moutinho (myself included), but Joe Allen has performed as the main creative midfielder in a team that play the spurs way and that performed admirably last season.
Joe Allen is teh type of player that picks the ball up off the defenders, links play quickly, is agile, works hard and also pops up with the odd goal - in my eye's he's a little luka in the making.
When it was evident Luka was off, my first (realistic) wish was Joe Allen, and if we could pick him up for a little under £15m (c'mon DL - do your magic) that would be great business.

 

[brendanb50]

He seemed to play very deep for GB yesterday (perhaps not the best example of where he plays) does he sit quite so deep for Swansea?

I wont argue the points being made regarding Swansea's style of play being a good fit for ours though. I think Caulker playing there last year would have added some real strength to his passing and composure.

 

[AngerManagement]

Joe Allen is a very good player, far from boring IMO.

He's very pale skinned though

 

[Sanj]

He seemed to play very deep for GB yesterday (perhaps not the best example of where he plays) does he sit quite so deep for Swansea?

I wont argue the points being made regarding Swansea's style of play being a good fit for ours though. I think Caulker playing there last year would have added some real strength to his passing and composure.

From what i have seen of Allen, he does pick the ball up deep, but can play a little further forward. I don't think, or i should say, i have not seen him play in the vdv type or advanced midfielder role.
As rj1882 stated so well earlier - he knits the team together and can put through defence splitting passes. so again, he sits in the luka type position and would hopefully be our link man just as luka is now.

 

[felmani26]

Another point to add is that he has undoubtedly the best years ahead of him at the tender age of 22 and it's always nice to bolster the ranks with 'home-grown' talent - especially when there are a lot of question marks over the futures of Defoe, Jenas, Bentley etc.

I also wonder what his relationship is like with Bale in the Welsh team as it might prove to be another factor in helping Bale see his long term future at this club.

 

[jonnyp]

He's very pale skinned though

Paler than Iniesta?

 

[tttcowan]

The ignorance of people never fails to astound me - Allen is technically a very good player and would actually be a great replacement for Modric in terms of the role he would occupy.

Are there better players out there? Course there are, but then i'd also say we could do a damn sight worse than cast an eye over Allen and i'd certainly prefer him in the centre to Huddlestone.

Jesus, get off your high horse! I'm sorry we're not all enlightened enough to see just how bloody amazing this kid from Swansea is who's had one half descent season in an average prem team... I'll see your ignorance and raise you a delusional if you think Joe Allen will ever be fit to even shine Modrics boots, yes Modric really is that good. Furthermore, is he really any better than what we currently have in Livermore, Hudd and Jenas? I'd say no but even if he is say on a par or a bit better than any of those players does it warrant spending 10 mill+ on him??? Sounds exactly like the type of dumb ass move King Kenny and DC would of done at Liverpool... So yeah, don't be surprised at people being less than keen on this signing.

 

[daryl]

Joe Allen is NOT good enough,,,if hes worth 15mil, then whats aaron ramsey worth, (hes a **** aswell),,,can we please stop this,,,

 

[AngerManagement]

Paler than Iniesta?

I think you missed the point

(Spursking, a poster obsessed with black players had suggested he was a boring player.....)

 

[knilly]

Joe Allen is NOT good enough,,,if hes worth 15mil, then whats aaron ramsey worth, (hes a **** aswell),,,can we please stop this,,,

Joe Allen is good enough in my opinion. and we missed the boat not picking him up when Swansea were in the Championship like Arsenal done with Ramsey.

15m may be steep but like Real with Modric, if you don't pay up then you ain't signing the player you want

 

[tttcowan]

Joe Allen is good enough in my opinion. and we missed the boat not picking him up when Swansea were in the Championship like Arsenal done with Ramsey.

15m may be steep but like Real with Modric, if you don't pay up then you ain't signing the player you want

Fair points but if that's the case shouldn't we be looking at other young targets to get in before there price becomes massively over inflated like Allen... Championship or abroad, 17-20 year olds, cheaper, seems to make more sense as signing someone like Allen would be for his potential rather than his current ability anyway(like any other kid)...

If people think signing proven players like Damiao or Mourts is a gamble at 25 million god knows what signing Allen for 15 million would be considered.

 

[Toela65]

Huw Jenkins has made it abduntly clear to anyone even slightly enquiring about Allen that he will not be allowed to leave for a penny less than £15m. He also will not accept add-on fee's or players swaps combined with cash to get to £15m. He also is demanding the fee is paid in full upfront and not in installments. If clubs were not willing to do this or offered the £15m release clause triggering it, with some of it made up of future add-ons etc , it could go the legal dept to see if this satisfies the requirements of the contract clause. Could get messy.

He is just as stubborn and touch as Levy as a negotiator so I believe this will be the case. I don't believe either Spurs or Liverpool will be willing to pay that so if Allen wants a move he may have to force it through himself handing a transfer request in if Clubs won't meet Jenkins very specific demands. I can see legal action possibly being involved here.

 

[daryl]

Huw Jenkins has made it abduntly clear to anyone even slightly enquiring about Allen that he will not be allowed to leave for a penny less than £15m. He also will not accept add-on fee's or players swaps combined with cash to get to £15m. He also is demanding the fee is paid in full upfront and not in installments. If clubs were not willing to do this or offered the £15m release clause triggering it, with some of it made up of future add-ons etc , it could go the legal dept to see if this satisfies the requirements of the contract clause. Could get messy.

He is just as stubborn and touch as Levy as a negotiator so I believe this will be the case. I don't believe either Spurs or Liverpool will be willing to pay that so if Allen wants a move he may have to force it through himself handing a transfer request in if Clubs won't meet Jenkins very specific demands. I can see legal action possibly being involved here.

you mickey mousers can have him for that

 

[knilly]

you mickey mousers can have him for that

That's a well run club trying to get the most for their assets.

Being welsh I'd like to see Swansea continue on their upward spiral, but I do think Allen will be a 'top 4' player sooner rather than later