Conor Gallagher in reckoning for England World Cup squad

The 2022 World Cup might be close to a full year off, but Gareth Southgate surely has a good idea of who will be on the plane to Qatar with him. By and large, the England squad that travels to the Gulf state will be the same as the one that made the Euro 2020 final this summer. There will, however, be some evolution. There always is between major tournaments.

At this moment in time, Conor Gallagher is surely one of the players who could force his way into Southgate’s England squad. The 21-year-old has been in exceptional form for Crystal Palace this season, scoring his fifth and sixth goal of the 2021/22 campaign in the recent win over Everton, and is currently one of the best young English players around.

Only eight players have scored more goals in the Premier League this season than Gallagher. The 21-year-old also ranks ninth in the division for chances created, illustrating how importance he has been as a creative force since signing for Crystal Palace on loan from Chelsea. Few have been able to stop him.

Among his Palace teammates, Conor Gallagher is ranked highest for shots on target (14), shots outside the box (13), assists (three), chances created (27) and passes played into the box (82) and the recently capped England international has had a direct hand in 41% of Crystal Palace’s total Premier League goals this season. This is the highest such figure of any English player for any Premier League team.

Most commonly used on the right side of a midfield three by Patrick Vieira, Gallagher is more than just a creative force. His industry makes him the perfect modern midfielder with the 21-year-old ranked joint-sixth in the Premier League for tackles won this season (42). On top of this, Gallagher is ranked 14th for fouls won (24) and third for fouls conceded (28).

In the win against Everton, Gallagher covered an impressive 11.2km, more ground than any other Crystal Palace player. It’s not beyond the realms of possibility that Southgate could look to Conor Gallagher to evolve an England team that was accused of being too conservative in the centre of the pitch at Euro 2020.

Gallagher is already firmly on Southgate’s radar after receiving his first call-up to the senior England squad for last month’s World Cup qualifier against San Marino, in which he made his international debut. Southgate is also known to value players who have come through The FA youth pathway and Gallagher has represented England at almost every level.

Of course, a return to parent club Chelsea at the end of the season would present Gallagher with a new set of circumstances. First team football would be harder to come by at Stamford Bridge even if the midfielder is a part of the Blues’ long-term future. This is something that could block Gallagher’s route to the 2022 World Cup.

Nonetheless, the potential of Conor Gallagher is so high that he will surely be a key figure for England at some point in the future. The 2022 World Cup already looks like the Three Lions’ best chance of glory on international football’s biggest stage for a generation with Southgate’s squad maturing at the right time.

The inclusion of Gallagher could, however, keep England fresh. He could give Southgate another way to construct his midfield, which has been the focus of music discussion over the years, and another promising young player to build around. Even if Gallagher doesn’t make the England squad for the 2022 World Cup, it won’t be because he’s not good enough.

 

---

 

You could earn up to £10 (or currency equivalent) in bonus funds by joining Colossus with our New Player Bonus. Click here to join the action.

The post Conor Gallagher in reckoning for England World Cup squad appeared first on Colossus Blog.

Source: https://www.colossusbets.com/blog/conor-gallagher-england/