Joe Allen mildly surprises us all by signing Stoke deal
Wales midfielder Joe Allen has committed to relegated Stoke by signing a new four-year contract.
The 28-year-old, who joined the Potters from Liverpool in July 2016, is determined to help the club secure a return to the Premier League at the first attempt.
“As players we have to shoulder responsibility for what happened last season,” Allen told stokecityfc.com.
“Sometimes in football when things go wrong players try to wash their hands of it but I’m hoping a few more of the lads will have the same target of trying to set the record straight and helping the club bounce straight back.
“I spoke to Tony Scholes once the season had ended and he made it very clear that the club weren’t interested in selling me and that they wanted me to stay on.
“That stance from the club, coupled with how settled I am here, how happy I am and how much I’ve enjoyed it, made it pretty straightforward for me.”
Manager Gary Rowett added: “Joe’s were the first comments that I read at the end of last season and it was clear from what he said that he wanted to atone for what had happened. That’s exactly what any club, any set of fans and any manager want to hear – they want players to feel a sense of responsibility.
“For a player of that quality to want to stay, want to commit to the future tells you how good the Club is and that he can see potentially a better season ahead.
“I’m delighted. He’s exactly the type of player we need because he’s got Premier League quality and he’s also got the mentality to handle life in the Championship in my opinion.”