Chelsea's use of Conor Gallagher in the first games of the Premier League season has been questionable. The midfielder was a late substitute in the matches against Everton and Spurs before making his first start against Leeds United in a calamitous 3-0 defeat. His full home debut was over inside half an hour after being sent off against Leicester.
To say that this has been an anti-climax is perhaps underplaying the disappointing start for Gallagher. He was seen as a player ready to come into Thomas Tuchel's midfield straight away, but that hasn't proved to be the case so far. Although this is in part largely down to being played in a position that he didn't thrive in at Selhurst Park last season, Gallagher is still very much in the reckoning despite a rocky start.
Tuchel may have been harsh on the Englishman in his assessment, not allowing Marc Cucurella's poor cross to make up part of the reason for Gallagher's second booking, but the manager has been a long term admirer of the player and nearly kept him last season.
