Joe Allen was having a short holiday in Ibiza last month, reflecting on Walesā remarkable Euro 2016 journey, when he discovered Liverpool were selling him to Stoke.
After four years at Anfield he left as a cult hero with supporters, a hugely popular figure in the dressing room with his reputation enhanced after playing a key role in helping Wales to reach the semi-finals.
He is now focusing on a new chapter in the Potteries and hopeful of making his home debut against Pep Guardiolaās Manchester City on Saturday, after sealing a Ā£13ā million move. But sitting at Stokeās training ground on Thursday after agreeing to a rare interview, he admits the way it ended at Liverpool left a sour taste.
Allen is low maintenance, reluctant to make headlines and chooses his words carefully, yet clearly feels his departure could have been better handled.
āI actually had a text message off a friend congratulating me about making the move when I didnāt even know it was happening at the time,ā he says. āNot knowing whether the club intend to sell you or keep you, especially when youāre trying to ask the question, is disappointing.
āIf Iām honest, to find out they accepted an offer through the press isnāt the best way of going about business, I donāt think. The communication wasnāt great but as soon as Liverpool accepted an offer I knew what their intentions were for me. It was a bit strange but thatās how things happen sometimes. There was no real goodbye, but Iām not the most sentimental person anyway. Itās irrelevant now because sitting here Iāve got the move I wanted.ā
Allen bears no grudges and, indeed, says he has many fond memories of his time at Liverpool. He was infamously branded āthe Welsh Xaviā by Brendan Rodgers shortly after moving from Swansea in 2012 and it is easy to forget the role he later played when Liverpool chased Manchester City for the title.
When Rodgers was sacked in October last season, he had to start again under JĆ¼rgen Klopp but proved himself to earn the respect of Liverpool fans. His sale polarised opinion among those supporters, with many claiming Liverpool should have offered him a new contract. But the lack of game time ā just eight Premier League starts last season ā made it an easy decision.
āBeing a regular wasnāt going to happen and thatās fair enough. If you look at the quality Liverpool have got in midfield, and maybe the age of the players, I think Iād have been waiting for injuries and suspensions. Realistically, if youāve been there four years you expect more than that.
āIām not going to be happy unless Iām on the pitch on a regular basis. Iām 26 now and the next four or five years are going to be my best. Iām really excited about this move because the ambition is there to get better. In the three seasons Mark Hughes has had youāve seen the progress Stoke have made, the players heās brought in and the style he has imposed. Weāve finished ninth three seasons running and the aim now is to look at those places above.ā
Stokeās capture of Allen is even more impressive when you consider his performances at the European Championship. The heartbeat of the Wales midfield, he produced his best display in the stunning victory over Belgium and was deservedly named in the Team of the Tournament.
Those āWelsh Pirloā comparisons with the Italian maestro did not seem so far-fetched. The fairy tale ended against eventual winners Portugal in the semi-final but Allen admits it was a life-changing event.
āAs a Welshman Iād always dreamed of reaching a major tournament and wondered if it would ever happen but reaching the semi-finals is unforgettable. We were riding the crest of a wave, getting better and better, but Portugal was just one step too far. It maybe caught up with us.ā
All the attention garnered from Euro 2016 was a new experience for Allen, who readily admits he is an Average Joe. He is private and humble, though Liverpool players will tell you he was one of the most outgoing members of the squad. It was once revealed that he keeps chickens with his wife Lacey, but other details about the Welshman are scarce. So who is the real Joe Allen?
āIām a family guy who likes to fly under the radar. Thatās why I donāt like talking about chickens! Iāve never really been comfortable in the spotlight. Iāve still got a family home in Swansea and get back when I can. People who know me probably get to see the real me.
āIāve been asked about Twitter before and people say I should make more of an effort to get on there. At a club like Liverpool which has global support, people do want more access into you and your life, but Iām a bit more old school.ā
It is no wonder, then, that he looked so uncomfortable on the Being: Liverpool documentary.
āThat was one of the things that scarred me!ā he says, laughing. āI remember walking through the door and there was a camera crew there. Thatās an example of where Iām out of my comfort zone and Iām not a big fan of that side of things.
āIām a footballer and my job is out there on the pitch. Iāve always been a team player and seen my role as helping the team function better. I think Iāve got attributes that can help Stoke.
āEveryone is keeping an eye on Guardiola but weāre hoping to make it very difficult for him and his team on Saturday.ā
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/08/18/joe-allen-i-found-out-from-friends-text-i-was-leaving-liverpool/