 After drifting in and out the starting eleven for most of the 2010–11 season Whelan made a return in March and has played a key role in Stoke's run to their first FA Cup Final.Whelan reached a century of league appearances for the club on 8 May 2011 against Arsenal.Whelan played in the 2011 FA Cup Final as Stoke lost 1–0 to his old club Manchester City.