“A touch underwhelming” – Fulham set sights on Stoke City midfielder: The verdict

This article is part of Football League World’s ‘The Verdict‘ series, which provides personal opinions from the FLW writers regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Fulham have joined the race for Stoke City captain Joe Allen, as per a report from Wales Online. 

The report states that the Cottagers are joined by fellow promotion winners Bournemouth in pursuit of the 32-year-old, whilst four clubs in Spain are also monitoring his situation at the Bet 365 Stadium.

Swansea City are also part of the race, with the Swans hoping to attract the experienced midfielder back to where he started his career.

Allen featured 41 times for the Potters in the Championship during the 2021/22 campaign, surpassing the 200-game mark with the Potters during that time.

Three of our writers here at FLW have shared their thoughts regarding Fulham’s interest in the Welsh midfielder…

Declan Harte 

Allen showed with Stoke that his time as a Premier League player was up when the team was relegated in 2018.

The lack of demand in his signature at that time was telling and he has only regressed further since at the Bet365 Stadium.

As a free agent, he could add some valuable experience to the side, but he wouldn’t be expected to play often for a side hoping to avoid relegation.

The midfielder has been a key player under Michael O’Neill and is still a very good player, but perhaps a move to stay in the Championship would be the better option for the 32-year old at this stage of his career.

Justin Peach 

It’s a surprise to see Fulham linked with Joe Allen considering they seem well stocked in central midfield. Allen would provide Premier League experience, but that seems the only benefit he would bring to