Stoke City’s Star of the International Break

Name: Ibrahim Afellay
Position: Attacking Midfielder
Country: Netherlands

Afellay [right] looks on as England striker Jamie Vardy takes on the Netherlands defence. Photo: Marc Atkins/Offside.

Many Stoke City fans would have been hoping prior to the Easter weekend’s international fixtures that this accolade would go to Jack Butland, but it wasn’t meant to be.

However, one Potters’ player who did enjoy his fixtures was Ibrahim Afellay for the Netherlands, who scored in his nation’s narrow loss against France, before helping the Oranje beat England 2-1 at Wembley on Tuesday night.

Against Les Bleus, the 29-year-old finished well into the far bottom corner from the edge of the area after Memphis Depay had laid back a corner, and Afellay celebrated with a tribute to the late Johan Cruyff, holding up 14 fingers to represent the legendary Dutchman’s number.

The Stoke City man then played the full 90 minutes against Roy Hodgson’s men as his country ran out 2-1 winners. There maybe no European Championships for them this summer, but maybe the future is looking a bit brighter for Afellay and Co.