Conor Gallagher
Gallagher was another player who showed huge potential during last week’s clash and was potentially Chelsea’s best player during preseason. However, new players have come in since preseason and it looks like a change of formation for Pochettino as well. This has left Gallagher in an awkward position.
He’s been left to rely on both defensive and offensive attributes in this new position and today, he lacked both. Defensively, he was dreadful. Completely at fault for the first goal, not properly marking Nayef Aguerd, allowing him to challenge uncontested for a free header right in front of the goal, gave West Ham an early lead. It did not get much better from there. Gallagher did not look strong going forward and almost uncomfortable trying to make key passes.
Defensively, he offered little to no help. Sitting a bit too far back, he looked completely out of position. With the arrivals of Caicedo and Lavia, Gallagher’s position could look to be usurped. The length of Carney Chukwuemeka’s injury could allow him to regain his CAM position, but he’ll need to prove to Pochettino he can do that quickly.