The former Barcelona man has hardly set the world alight at the bet365 Stadium.
Stoke’s Ibrahim Afellay in action with Aston Villa’s Jores Okore
Stoke City have announced, via their club website, that attacking midfielder Ibrahim Afellay has signed a new two-year deal with the club, with his existing contract set to expire at the end of the season.
However, given Afellay has hardly been a world beater for the Potters, some could argue the club have made a mistake keeping the 30-year-old on their wage bill for another two years.
While Afellay has struggled with injuries, his form at the bet365 stadium for an attacking midfielder has been far from excellent, with the Dutch international scoring just three goals and racking up two assists in 46 appearances for Stoke.
Having now entered his 30’s as well, where previous assets like pace will begin to diminish, it’s a massive risk on Stoke’s behalf giving the one time Champions League winner an extended contract, especially in the fierce and fast paced Premier League.
Tottenham’s Erik Lamela in action with Stoke’s Ibrahim Afellay
Stoke boss Mark Hughes clearly has a lot of faith in him, and with Afellay’s relationship with the fans being an incredibly positive one, it does make some sense keeping him on.
Unless Hughes can mould him into a deep-lying central midfielder however, where he can dictate play from further back, it is hard to argue that it is smart use of wages.
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