Football League World
·23 November 2024
Football League World
·23 November 2024
After scoring his maiden England goal at the weekend, Conor Gallagher's journey to the top has resurfaced, as he initially venture through the EFL
Conor Gallagher scored his maiden England goal on his 21st cap against the Republic of Ireland in the Three Lions' most recent Nations League fixture, a resounding 5-0 win.
Now playing for one of Spain's most impressive outfits in Atlético Madrid, it is sometimes hard to remember Gallagher's impressive loan spells in the Championship.
The English midfielder had two spells in one season at both Charlton Athletic and Swansea City while still a youngster at Chelsea. He impressed immediately with the Addicks, and it was clear that Gallagher was going to be a special talent in the future. Later moving to South Wales, he helped carry the team to the play-off semi-finals that same season.
It seems a long time ago now that the central midfielder was featuring in the second tier, but he is still only 24, which is testament to the legacy and respect he has already garnered as a player.
While merely a 19-year-old, a young Gallagher moved on loan from Chelsea to Charlton, having graduated from the Blues' academy. He immediately impressed, winning the EFL Young Player of the Month award in his first month with his new club, after he bagged three goals in his opening six fixtures.
Gallagher put up some impressive numbers with the Addicks, registering six goals and two assists in a midfield role for a team that really struggled that season and were battling relegation.
Despite his impressive performances at the start of the term, it was not enough to help Charlton avoid relegation at the end of the season, as they dropped down after being one point adrift of survivors Barnsley on the final day.
However, Gallagher was in fact spared the misfortune of being relegated, as he was recalled from Charlton by Chelsea in January, and swapped clubs to move to Swansea City on another six-month loan deal.
Gallagher impressed equally at the Liberty Stadium, racking up six assists in 21 appearances for the club, and seeing them into the play-offs. They unfortunately lost 3-2 to Brentford in the play-off semi-final, but the midfielder cited his time at Swansea as having allowed him to develop as a creative player and vastly improve his game.
A comprehensive view of Gallagher's statistics that season shows just how much he was able to impact the game in all areas. Not only did he provide 14 goal contributions across the season, but he was also able to make a great deal of interceptions and recoveries, potentially contributing to the dogged and tough-tackling midfielder we know today.
His passing range also showed excellent potential, reaching nearly two accurate long balls per 90 minutes in the number 10 role. Overall, at just 19, Gallagher's first Championship spell put a remarkable youngster in the limelight and showed parent club Chelsea exactly what he was capable of.
Since departing the Liberty Stadium, the English international went on to enjoy successful loan spells with West Brom and Crystal Palace, before eventually making 95 appearances for Chelsea in all competitions.
After the appointment of new manager Enzo Maresca, Gallagher left the Blues in order to join Spanish giants Atlético Madrid for a fee reported to be around £34 million. The tenacious midfielder has since made 15 appearances for Atlético, scoring twice.
Although it is hard to define the trajectory of a player's career based on two loan spells, it is beyond doubt that Gallagher's initial stints in the Championship transformed him into a more hardened and creative player. He's now an England goalscorer. Of course, his role with England is more reserved given the attacking talent the country has, but he poached well at the back-post from a corner to cash-in on England's blistering spell of goals against Ireland and that moment is one that can never be taken away from him.
He was awarded game time at a young age, aiding his development and propelling him towards his current success. All in all, one must not forget a player's roots when viewing them in the spotlight of the modern day. Charlton and Swansea deserve a nod for that Nations League goal.
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