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As soon as the referee’s whistle blares, Conor Gallagher takes off. The England vs. Brazil match has only just started, and Gallagher is already running at top speed towards João Gomes. He knows he won’t be able to reach the ball in time, but he charges forward to make his presence known and show his determination. In a way, he is staking his claim on the field.
This is the key characteristic of Gallagher that stands out in one’s mind: a midfielder whose demeanor is constantly in a state of chaos, always active and eager to appear busy, whether it be through flashy short passes or charging forward with intense determination. He is a prominent leader in English football, always shouting instructions and signaling to his teammates about available space and unmarked runners. Coaches admire Gallagher because he gives them a sense of control in a seemingly chaotic game.
Then, of course, there is the scurrying. And perhaps the scurrying and the pointing are really two sides of the same coin: a player who operates at a permanent level of high caffeine. Something always needs mending. Someone always needs to be somewhere else. And inevitably the solution is always more running, more tackling, more basic alpha energy.
Gareth Southgate has previously described Gallagher as a player who appears very fluid and agile on the field, contrasting with others who may frantically move about. He referred to Gallagher as a “scurrier”.
It may appear somewhat insulting to diminish the skills of this clever and versatile player to simply being a unit of leg movement. However, darting around the field has always been a crucial but underappreciated aspect of the game, and most successful international teams rely on it. For instance, France has a long history of such players, from Christian Karembeu to Claude Makelélé to N’Golo Kanté, and currently Adrien Rabiot. The renowned Brazilian teams also had excellent but often overlooked hustlers, such as Clodoaldo, Mauro Silva, and Gilberto Silva. Argentina’s Rodrigo de Paul and Croatia’s Marcelo Brozovic serve a similar purpose for their respective teams. While these players are certainly capable of more, their role in these situations is to tirelessly run, allowing the stars to shine.
More and more, it is evident who the standout player is on the England team. The more one observes Jude Bellingham, the more it becomes apparent the crucial role he plays in the team, as the key player, the creator, the skilled player. Who supports him in his game?
Gallagher appears to be a more reliable choice for the role based on durability compared to Jordan Henderson or Kalvin Phillips. However, he does not quite fit into an attacking team that is filled with players who excel at making intelligent decisions in tight spaces – such as Bellingham, Phil Foden, and Bukayo Saka (when he returns). Gallagher is not on the same technical level as these players, and is also not skilled enough in possession to serve as a deep playmaker or a holding midfielder.
There were some organized defensive efforts, as well as one impressive sprint into the right area that potentially could have resulted in a penalty. However, he also had the highest number of turnovers compared to any other player, and had the lowest percentage of successful passes (except for Ollie Watkins) among England’s starting players. He also delayed a potential counterattack due to taking too much time to control the ball. It’s worth noting the irony that his most clever play – a fake that allowed a pass to go through to Bellingham – did not involve him touching the ball at all.
“In the style of Churchill’s iconic speech, Gallagher may have little to offer except for hard work, determination, and a potential early yellow card in a crucial elimination match. However, there is a different perspective on England’s midfield, and in the final 15 minutes of the game, we caught a glimpse of it as the talented youngster Kobbie Mainoo entered the field.”
It is hardly necessary to mention that Mainoo is not one of the top players in the game. He is not outspoken or quick-footed. While Gallagher is busy and energetic on the field, Mainoo glides around like a chess piece. His movements and touches are efficient and precise. He successfully completed all 15 of his passes and showed one impressive move to avoid Gomes and start an attack for England. It must also be noted that this was only his 24th senior game, leaving his potential and future prospects uncertain. The team dynamics are still developing and his potential is alarming.
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Can this be seen as a positive or negative for him? It could be a bit of both. Southgate is inherently cautious and doesn’t like to upset the status quo. Bellingham has been to two tournaments, but it won’t be until his third this summer that he’s guaranteed a spot in the starting lineup. The presence of Henderson and Phillips still lingers like a stale odor.
Despite Mainoo’s skills and the rich history of young basketball players succeeding in major championships, he can likely only hope for a spot on the periphery of this English team, unable to make a bold statement about their desired style.
For the time being, Gallagher is making strides in various ways, while you hold onto players such as Trent Alexander-Arnold, Angel Gomes, and persist with your bold midfield experiment involving John Stones.
Source: theguardian.com
