James Robson’s column in the Evening Standard today is about Thomas Tuchel’s thinking on Conor Gallagher, who he apparently sees as a potential backup to N’Golo Kante next season.
The way they’re perceived isn’t similar, but the more you think about it, the more one can see the youngster filling in for Kante at times.
He certainly has the energy and the stamina through 90 minutes, even if he lacks the same burst of speed in his first step.
He also has impressive reading of the game – although it will be some levels below Kante’s phenomenal timing.
In plenty of games against weaker teams who sit deeper we can see Gallagher being a brilliant bundle of energy at the base of our midfield, bringing energy and pressing runs forward just like Kante.
We wouldn’t trust him against the biggest teams and in games where we’re on the back foot – but you’re not going to find someone who can do everything Kante does, that’s just impossible.
