Jack Wilshere has explained why he’s actually been left feeling a little bit sorry for one Chelsea player this week.
It’s been a mixed bag so far for Chelsea’s stars at Euro 2024, with some of them already knocked out of the major international tournament.
England duo Cole Palmer and Conor Gallagher are into the last-16 stage. The same goes for Belgium’s Romelu Lukaku and Spain’s Marc Cucurella, too. Unfortunately, Blues stars Armando Broja (Albania), Djordje Petrovic (Serbia) and Mykhailo Mudryk (Ukraine) have been eliminated in the group stages.
Jack Wilshere feels sorry for Chelsea man
Jack Wilshere has claimed that he feels sorry for Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher after what happened to him at Euro 2024 a couple of days ago.
Gallagher was promoted to England’s starting XI on Tuesday night against Slovenia. The game finished 0-0 as the Three Lions secured top spot in Group C. However, England boss Gareth Southgate substituted off the Chelsea midfielder at half time in a tactical switch.
According to Wilshere, Gallagher will have had this confidence knocked a bit.
He told The Sun: “Kobbie Mainoo was always my preference to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold in England’s midfield. I think he showed why in the second half tonight.
“But I still feel that it was harsh on Conor Gallagher that he was taken off at half time.
“Firstly because it was probably our best half of the tournament. And secondly, because it didn’t feel like a Gareth Southgate thing to do.
“It will knock Gallagher’s confidence for sure. He will have thought that this was his chance, but he only gets a half.
“The best thing about Gallagher was his positioning. I thought he could have done more with the ball and he gave it away a few times.
“… I just feel a bit sorry for Gallagher.”
Conor Gallagher will bounce back from tough evening
England were completely on top of possession against Slovenia and trying to break down a stubborn defence. In fairness, the pattern of play didn’t really suit Gallagher and his substitution was justified.
But there’s still a lot that the Chelsea central midfielder can bring to the England group, especially if they go later in the tournament and have to defend themselves without the ball.
We’re confident that Gallagher won’t let Tuesday’s setback impact him too much. Let’s remember that Liverpool’s Trent Alexander Arnold has just had the exact same problem in England’s midfield.