‘Game changer’: BBC pundit explains why Southgate chose to take Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher to the World Cup
BBC pundit Jermaine Jenas has claimed that Gareth Southgate decided to pick Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher due to his ability to change the game from the bench.
The Blues midfielder will be one of three representatives from the West London club, with Mason Mount and Raheem Sterling also being selected.
Those two were shoo ins from the start, however the pick of Gallagher was more of a shock.
Nevertheless, former national team manager Roy Hodgson has already claimed he would have selected the 22-year-old for his squad.
Now, Jenas has claimed that the impact he can have on the squad from the bench could be why Southgate made the choice to take Gallagher.
Jenas explains Southgate selection
He said: “I had a feeling that Conor might sneak in there you know. I had a feeling, he’s a goal threat, he reminds me a lot of Lampard, and also he [Gareth Southgate] likes to promote from within.
“In that midfield area I can imagine he was deliberating between James Ward-Prowse, someone who is a bit more reliable, great set-piece taker but then, Gallagher just offers you something else. I think he’s a game changer. I think he’s that type of player you bring on, he’ll have an impact on the game.
“He presses, he gets himself in the box and creates chances, and also he’s won a World Cup, hasn’t he.”
Gallagher season did not start as he would have liked at Chelsea, with him struggling to find a way into the first team in his natural position under Thomas Tuchel.
However, his fortunes have changed since Graham Potter came in, and this has been enough to show Southgate that he is good enough to represent his country in Qatar later this month.
