Joe Allen

Joe Allen, or the Welsh Xavi as he has become known, has quickly cemented his place as one of the Premier League’s finest midfielders.

At Liverpool, he was often forced into taking a back seat role, but at Stoke he has been allowed to thrive – and the Potters have benefitted from that show of faith tremendously.

He is the focal point of the Stoke midfield, and much of the forward movement in the side goes through him in the middle of the park.

He has been in fine form so far this season, and from the perspective of Mark Hughes – he will hoping that Allen can continue in that vein.