Glenn Whelan
#6
Centre midfield
d.o.b: 13/01/84
Signed: January 2008
Games this season: 19/4
Goals this season: 2
Total club games: 111/34
Total club goals : 8
Highly rated Irish international who joined the club for a cut price £500,000 20 minutes prior to the transfer window shutting in January 2008 due to his Sheffield Wednesday contract running out in July 2008.
Was targeted by Stoke long before he put pen to paper after many fantastic display at the heart of the Wednesday midfield.
Upon signing he was a fully fledged Ireland 'B' international but in the summer of 2008 he played his first 2 games for the full Irish side and was singled out for special praise by coach Giovanni Trapatonni with the Italian referrring to him as his 'Gattuso'.
Had a point to prove in the Premier League after being sold by Manchester City with only a brief appearance in a European tie to his name after coming through the youth system at Eastlands.
Started at Bolton on the opening day but following a below par performance he was dropped and his season didn't really get going until his substitute appearance at Villa Park when he played a key role in helping the Potters score two late goals to grab a point.
Became a regular starter after and added some much needed creativity in the centre of midfield to help the Potters stay up.
2009/10 was an up and down season as Whelan started more than he didn't but rarely hit top form and it was only lack of options elsewhere in the midfield ranks that kept him in the side for so long, although he did continue to impress for Ireland, he has know played every game he has been fit for over the last three seasons.
2010/11 was another mismatch of a season for the Irishman as he was a substitute for long periods but cemented his place in the side for the run in, including the FA Cup final, after a Man of the match performance in the FA Cup quarter final against West Ham, keeping Dean Whitehead on the bench for the latter stages of the season.
This season will be another important one for Whelan as he looks to secure another contract extension and keep his place in the side under increasing competition.