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Joe Allen tipped to be a Wales Eden Hazard
CHRIS COLEMAN believes Joe Allen can be Wales’ version of Eden Hazard.
The £15million Liverpool midfielder will go head-to-head with Hazard when Wales face Belgium in their first 2014 World Cup qualifier tomorrow week. And Wales boss Coleman, who has named his 23-strong squad for the Cardiff clash, feels Allen, 22, has matched Chelsea’s new play-maker.
Coleman said: “Everyone is speaking about Eden Hazard and he has made a big impression at Chelsea.
“People will talk about how he’s handled his move, but Joe has handled the move to Anfield every bit as well and that could give us a bit of a spin-off.”
The former Swansea man shone in Sunday’s 2-2 result with Manchester City, and Coleman added: “Joe won’t have a problem at Liverpool. He’s always available for a pass and that’s the way Liverpool want to play.
“He’s brave, always wants possession and to receive the ball in all areas, it’s a big advantage.
Everyone is speaking about Eden Hazard and he has made a big impression at Chelsea
“The pressure is bigger at Liverpool and Joe will get used to that, but he’s a terrific player.”
Wales: Brown, Myhill, Price; Blake, Collins, Gunter, Lynch, Matthews, Ricketts, Taylor, A Williams; Allen, Crofts, Edwards, King, Ramsey, J Williams; Bale, Bellamy, Church, Morison, Robson-Kanu, Vokes.