Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher has been one of his side’s best players this season.
Conor Gallagher has made 38 appearances and come up with 11 goal contributions, showing just how important he has been for Mauricio Pochettino.
Yesterday, however, Chelsea legend Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink was quite critical of the 24-year-old while analysing the Blues’ 4-2 win against Leicester City on BBC One.
There was a moment during the FA Cup quarter-final tie between the two sides where Cole Palmer handed Raheem Sterling the ball to take a penalty that had been awarded to the team. But with Palmer having scored all the spot-kicks he has taken this season, Hasselbaink thinks Gallagher, who was captain on the day, should have intervened and told the 21-year-old to make his way to the box instead of Sterling.
It probably would have been the right call, with Sterling going on to miss the penalty. It was not a good afternoon for the winger, who has also been on the receiving end of criticism from Hasselbaink.
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink questions Conor Gallagher’s leadership
Being captain, Hasselbaink felt that Gallagher should have dealt with the penalty situation involving Sterling and Palmer.
On the Englishman, the former Chelsea striker said: “Gallagher, as a captain, you should go to Sterling and say, ‘No. He’s the penalty taker. He’s taken five in a row; he’s scored all five. He needs to take it — it’s 1-0. Let’s secure this match first.’ “
Conor Gallagher still learning role of captain
Gallagher only turned 24 this year and is the third in command at Stamford Bridge behind Reece James and Ben Chilwell.
It is only natural that the England international is not the perfect captain yet. Hopefully, yesterday is something that he can learn from.
Again, though, Gallagher is having a good season in general, with Pochettino setting him the challenge of scoring more goals. In total, he has registered four times this term.
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