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As soon as the referee blew the whistle, Conor Gallagher began to run. England versus Brazil has only just started, but Gallagher is already sprinting at full speed towards João Gomes. He’s not expecting to get the ball, as it’s long gone before he reaches it. However, he’s determined to make his mark and show his determination. It’s like planting a flag and making his presence known.
This, perhaps, is the defining motif of Gallagher in the mind’s eye: a midfielder whose dial is set permanently to hurricane, always busy, always keen to be seen as busy, whether ostentatiously playing a five-yard pass or tearing forward like a man chasing a runaway Mazda down a hill. He is one of English football’s great pointers: constantly barking orders, alerting teammates to open space and free runners. Coaches love Gallagher because he makes them feel a little less powerless.
Additionally, there is the constant bustling. It is possible that the bustling and the gesturing are essentially interchangeable: a player who consistently operates with high levels of caffeinated energy. There is always something in need of repair. There is always someone who needs to be in a different place. And invariably, the answer is to keep running, keep tackling, and maintain a basic alpha mindset.
According to Gareth Southgate, Gallagher displays a fluid style of play compared to others who appear more frenzied on the field. He described him as a “scurrier.”
It may come across as mildly derogatory to reduce this clever and versatile player to a mere unit of running. However, fast-paced movement has long been an overlooked skill in the game, and few top international teams have achieved success without it. France has a history of producing such players, from Christian Karembeu to Claude Makelélé to N’Golo Kanté, with the current standout being Adrien Rabiot. The renowned Brazilian teams also had exceptional but underrated runners: Clodoaldo, Mauro Silva, and Gilberto Silva. Argentina has Rodrigo de Paul, while Croatia has Marcelo Brozovic. These players were certainly capable of much more, but in that particular situation, their role was to tirelessly run and create space for the true stars to shine.
As time goes on, it is becoming evident who the standout player of this England squad is. The more you observe Jude Bellingham in action, the more you recognize his crucial role as the hub, conductor, and playmaker. Who supports him on the field?
Based on durability alone, Gallagher appears to be a more reliable option for that position compared to Jordan Henderson or Kalvin Phillips. However, he still seems to be an odd fit in an attacking line-up that is filled with extremely skilled players. When Bellingham, Phil Foden, and Bukayo Saka return, they are all known for playing intelligent football in difficult spaces. In comparison, Gallagher is not quite at their level in terms of technical ability, lacking the quality to operate as a deep playmaker and lacking the ability to read and anticipate in order to play as a deep-lying midfielder.
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There were some organized defensive efforts, as well as one impressive sprint into the right side that could have potentially resulted in a penalty. However, he also had the highest number of turnovers compared to other players and the lowest percentage of completed passes among the starting players for England, aside from Ollie Watkins. He delayed a counterattack by struggling to control the ball. And it is worth noting the irony in the fact that his most effective move – a fake to allow a pass to go through to Bellingham – did not involve touching the ball at all.
Maybe, to rephrase the well-known Churchill speech, Gallagher may have little to bring except for intense effort, determination, emotional strain, hard work, and potentially receiving a yellow card early in a crucial elimination match. However, there is another perspective on England’s midfield, and in the last 15 minutes of the game, we caught a glimpse of it, as the young sensation Kobbie Mainoo stepped onto the field.
To put it simply, Mainoo is not known for being one of the best players in the game. He is not loud or fast. While Gallagher may be running all over the field, Mainoo moves more strategically, like a chess piece. He uses minimal movement and touches to his advantage. In the game, he successfully completed all 15 of his passes and even made a skilled turn to get past Gomes and help England on the offense. And keep in mind, this was only his 24th senior professional game. His potential is scary, but still unknown, and his relationships with his teammates are not yet fully formed.
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Will this be in his favor or disadvantage? Maybe a bit of both. Southgate inherently avoids taking risks or causing disruption. Bellingham has participated in two tournaments so far, 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 talent and the plethora of teenage players who have excelled in major tournaments, it is likely that he will only secure a marginal role on the team. This is a missed chance for England to showcase their desired team identity.
For the time being, Gallagher is the one leading the charge in more ways than one, even with options like Trent Alexander-Arnold, Angel Gomes, and John Stones’ bold midfield experimentation at your disposal.
Source: theguardian.com
