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Southampton vs. Stoke City: Opposition threat

By Jack Deery

LEICESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 24: Paul Lambert, Manager of Stoke City applauds fans after the Premier League match between Leicester City and Stoke City at The King Power Stadium on February 24, 2018 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)
LEICESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 24: Paul Lambert, Manager of Stoke City applauds fans after the Premier League match between Leicester City and Stoke City at The King Power Stadium on February 24, 2018 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images) /
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LEICESTER, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 24: Joe Allen of Stoke City in action during the Premier League match between Leicester City and Stoke City at The King Power Stadium on February 24, 2018 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)
LEICESTER, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 24: Joe Allen of Stoke City in action during the Premier League match between Leicester City and Stoke City at The King Power Stadium on February 24, 2018 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images) /

Joe Allen

Having been dubbed the ‘Welsh Xavi’ for much of his career, midfielder Allen has started to be considered a good player once again after a difficult time at Liverpool.  The former Swansea man has been involved in seven of Stoke’s goals this season with five of those being assists.

Being able to play in both a defensive and attacking part of midfield, the Welshman has completed more passes (1,033) and more tackles (77) than any other Stoke player this season.

Despite only being at the age of 27, it feels like Allen has been around for quite a long time, having made a good impression at a young age at Swansea. An excellent reader of the game and assured in the centre of the park, Southampton will have to make sure that Allen does not get a lot of space on the ball as he has the ability to punish them.