Glen Hoddle admitted to being rather alarmed by Graham Potter’s use of Conor Gallagher against Newcastle United.
Speaking on Premier League Productions, the former Chelsea boss questioned the current manager’s deployment of Gallagher at Saint James’ Park.
The Cobham academy graduate probably couldn’t tell you himself what position he was playing in by the full-time whistle.
He began the evening as one the more advanced midfielders in behind striker Armando Broja.
Gallagher all over the place
In the second-half, Gallagher was shuffled over to right wing-back, with Ruben Loftus-Cheek forced to retire from the game early due to an injury.
When Potter altered his formation again, Gallagher was thrust back into the midfield area, but looked relatively lost by this point.
The points themselves seemed to be lost even before Joe Willock scored just before the 70-minute mark.
Whilst Newcastle knew exactly their game plan, Chelsea seemed to be totally unaware of Potter’s instructions.
“I was baffled by it. I thought there were players playing out of position,” said Hoddle on the Blues’ performance.
“I thought Gallagher (it) was strange position for him. I don’t see him in advanced of the two deeper midfield players, so that was strange.
“Then he was shunted around playing in three different positions in the second half.”
Potter chops and changes
Players being squeezed into roles they don’t fit into has been a theme throughout Potter’s tenure.
His repeated use of Raheem Sterling as a wing-back certainly faced criticism.
Marc Cucurella as a centre-back has also raised concerns.
Yet, the Chelsea manager will point to injuries as the reason for shifting Sterling and Cucurella from their natural birth.
Reece James hasn’t been able to maraud up and down the right channel since sustaining knee problem in October.
Wesley Fofana and Kalidou Koulibaly’s respective absences has also forced Potter into regular defensive reshuffles.
Once everyone is available again, then perhaps we will see the true form of the Blues.
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