“Insert him in that midfield tonight because he’s stronger” – Pochettino told to start 23-year-old Chelsea star against Aston Villa
Chelsea icon, Frank Leboeuf has made a case for why Mauricio Pochettino has to play Conor Gallagher in Friday’s FA Cup clash against Aston Villa.
Gallagher, an ever-present figure in Chelsea’s midfield this season, was a surprise omission from the starting XI during the Blues’ League Cup win against Middlesbrough on Tuesday.
Pochettino opted to play Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo at the heart of Chelsea’s midfield, with Cole Palmer occupying the number 10 position. The tactic paid off, as both Palmer and Enzo got on the scoresheet to help the Blues to the final of the competition.
Gallagher was later introduced in the second half of the game, as Chelsea went on to win it 6-1, but Leboeuf has now stated that while Pochettino’s tactic against Boro worked, it would be a completely different game against Unai Emery’s side, and there’s a need to have a player like the 23-year-old involved in midfield.
“I will be more keen to be stronger in the midfield zone. I would put Gallagher instead of [Noni] Madueke and maybe try to be strong defensively and play on transition,” Leboeuf told ESPN.
“Gallagher will make the midfield zone stronger so it’s why I’d go with that option. But it’s going to be a different game against Villa.”