Conor Gallagher’s dismissal against Leicester City should send a message to Thomas Tuchel about the midfielder’s role and position in the Chelsea squad.
The 22-year-old has been deployed as one of the number sixes in Tuchel’s system since arriving back at Stamford Bridge after a successful loan spell at Crystal Palace.
However, having started in the Blues’ midfield in their 3-0 loss to Leeds before being sent off under 30 minutes into their match against Leicester City on Saturday, it is clear that Gallagher has struggled in Chelsea’s system.
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The only other time Gallagher has been deployed deeper into midfield was during his time at West Bromwich Albion, struggling in Sam Allardyce’s system as the Baggies were relegated.
During his time on loan at Charlton Athletic, Swansea and Crystal Palace, Gallagher was utilised further up the field, being used to press from the front and drive forward with his energy.
However, Mason Mount is nailed on in this role for Chelsea, meaning that Gallagher has been called upon as a deeper midfielder for the Blues.
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The 22-year-old struggled during pre-season, playing as one of Chelsea’s two number sixes in Tuchel’s system.
He has so far been unable to adapt, showing that Tuchel must play him further up field if he is to get the best out of the Cobham graduate.
Gallagher was eager to make his mark on his full home debut for Chelsea, getting stuck in early on.
But this was his downfall as he picked up a yellow card on the 22nd minute before being sold short after a Chelsea corner by Marc Cucurella, resulting in a foul and his dismissal.
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Chelsea went on to win the match 2-1 thanks to a Raheem Sterling brace, and while Gallagher has not performed well in the deeper role, it is not all his fault.
Tuchel has told Gallagher to accept the responsibility for his mistake and sending off, but the German must also accept responsibility for playing the midfielder in a role where he has struggled previously.
With Mateo Kovacic, Jorginho and N’Golo Kante the three first choice midfielders for Chelsea Ruben Loftus-Cheek has shown that he is comfortable with the role as a number six.
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Therefore, Gallagher must be played further forward and provide competition to Mason Mount, or Tuchel must simply look to change the system deployed when Gallagher is playing.
It is clear that he cannot operate comfortably in a double pivot, and it has affected those around him too.
Jorginho looked more comfortable in the second half, playing as pretty much a single midfielder after Gallagher’s dismissal.
It is simply not worth Tuchel risking the balance of his midfield to include Gallagher.
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The Cobham graduate must be deployed further up the pitch to utilise his skill set, pressing from the front and using his energy further up the field rather than operating as one of Tuchel’s sixes.
Topics: Chelsea, Thomas Tuchel, Conor Gallagher, Football, Premier League
Nick Emms