Conor Gallagher might have feared a return to Stamford Bridge could have jeopardised his place on England's plane to Qatar for the World Cup.
There were certainly naysayers who feared the midfielder's development would be stifled in a more competitive and demanding environment at Stamford Bridge, compared to the settled spot he smoothly found at Selhurst Park on loan with Crystal Palace last term.
Although things did not start smoothly for Gallagher this season, he remains an exciting prospect given the mood around Chelsea is pretty downbeat heading into Christmas.
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The 23-year-old has been speaking to the media ahead of England's opening Group B game against Iran on Monday. He was honest in response to questions regarding his role under Thomas Tuchel before the German was sacked in early September.
"A lot of people said I was at a team where I played week in, week out, and I would have had more of a chance. [They also said] maybe I haven't played as much football as I'd like, but I am at Chelsea, which is my dream club, the team I always wanted to play for." Gallagher said.
He then went on to respond to questions regarding comparisons to N'Golo Kante that had been made by Tuchel on his return.
"When he said it, it did make me laugh and surprise me a little bit. It's obviously a massive compliment, even if I'm half the player Kante is, because I feel like he's the best midfielder in the world, probably still now when he's fit.
"I feel like I can bring energy going forward and defensively as well. In whatever position the manager players me, I will do my best to play it right and be as effective as I can on the pitch. Whether that's to score goals or try to win the ball back then, that's what I can do."
Tuchel did receive some raised eyebrows and criticism when Gallagher was deployed as effectively a defensive midfielder in the early weeks of the season. Most notably, in the game, he was shown a second yellow against Leicester at home for a rash challenge on Harvey Barnes. Gallagher was receiving the ball from Chelsea's back two of Thiago Silva and Trevoh Chalobah, more than Jorginho, who usually fulfils that role.
This was a radical shift from the high-pressing, tenacious and attacking role he had played for Patrick Viera in a 4-3-3 at Crystal Palace last season. It symbolised a growing frustration in the final weeks of Tuchel's reign of placing players in unfamiliar roles that did not seem to benefit the player or team.
Since Graham Potter has arrived, Gallagher has been used higher up the pitch, ironically having his best moment in a Chelsea shirt so far against Palace, scoring a stunning winner in October to secure Potter's first Premier League win.
Potter, like Tuchel, has arguably been guilty of falling into a similar trap of placing players into roles that do not suit them. Using Marc Cucurella as a left-sided centre-back has promoted criticism, along with using Raheem Sterling and Christian Pulisic as wingbacks, most exposed away at Brighton in the humbling 4-1 defeat.
The tactical approach of coaches in the modern game is becoming a lot more fluid. Set roles are becoming less refined, and players are being developed to provide more versatility in outfield positions, which in itself is a good thing given the flexibility that offers to coaches amidst a demanding schedule where rotation is a necessity.
But there is probably a limit to how far those attributes can be stretched and whether a player's individual development is aided by that frequent change in position.
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