'I understand the Pirlo comparison now'

Joe Allen left Swansea for Liverpool in 2012 before returning to his boyhood club a decade later

Alan Sheehan says he has come to understand comparisons between Joe Allen and Italian midfield legend Andrea Pirlo.

Sheehan gave Allen his first Swansea City start since January in Wednesday's thumping win over Plymouth Argyle and the 35-year-old responded with a stellar display.

Allen has been used sparingly this season, making 22 Swansea appearances including only six starts.

But Sheehan says Allen's performance against Plymouth indicated why he has been likened to Pirlo ever since his starring role for Wales at Euro 2016.

"I understand the Pirlo comparison now," Swansea's caretaker head coach said.

"He was incredible, absolutely incredible. I think he, [Goncalo] Franco and [Lewis] O'Brien complemented each other so well. Their relationship on the counter press was really strong. Joe really was excellent."

Allen has made 73 appearances since rejoining Swansea – the club where he came through the youth ranks – from Stoke in 2022.

He has featured for Wales this season having come out of international retirement to play under Craig Bellamy.

But as things stand, there are question marks over what will come next for Allen when his Swansea contract expires this summer.

The former Liverpool player said in January that retirement would be an option – but Sheehan says discussions over future plans are yet to take place.

"I think Joe Allen is a legend at the football club," he added.

"[Whether he stays at Swansea] will be a decision… I don't think it will be one way. I think the sporting director Richard [Montague] is the man in charge of all that, so he will have a conversation."

When asked whether Allen wants to go on playing, Sheehan said: "I haven't spoken to him about that yet, but that [performance against Plymouth] would show he definitely does because he was outstanding."