Gareth Southgate thinks that Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher is as good as anyone else in the Premier League at one specific skill.
There’s no doubt that Conor Gallagher, who’s a product of the Chelsea academy, is having a real breakout season at Stamford Bridge.
The 23-year-old midfielder was a first-team player during a difficult campaign for the club last year, but there’s signs of a bit more stability this season under Blues manager Mauricio Pochettino.
Gallagher’s now a mainstay in the Chelsea line-up by starting all 12 Premier League games. The midfielder’s got four assists in his last five appearances, too.
Now, he’s joined up with the England squad over the international break.
Pressing machine
England boss Southgate has delivered some glowing praise on Gallagher. He says that he ranks alongside the very best in the league when it comes to pressing.
“His mentality is outstanding. His pressing is probably as good as anyone in the league,” Southgate said, as quoted by The Times.
We’ve got to agree with Gareth on this one! Chelsea fans that watch Gallagher every week will vouch for his fantastic pressing of opposition players, too.
Speaking via ESPN this week, Mario Melchiot praised Gallagher for his high energy and the way he puts his stamp on matches.
If you’re a defender with the ball at your feet, you may want to release it quickly because there’s a good chance Gallagher is flying towards you at full tilt.
Conor Gallagher in the No 10 role
The position Gallagher is operating in at Chelsea right now is definitely playing to his strengths, so Pochettino deserves big credit for the tactical tweak.
We’ve seen the Englishman further forward in a No 10 role and the most advanced of a midfield trio, with Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo sat just behind him.
Gallagher’s got a real licence in his position to roam the pitch, which includes making the most of his brilliant stamina to press opponents up high.
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