Conor Gallagher’s New Adventure in Madrid
A lot has been made of Conor Gallagher’s treatment this summer. Pushed from pillar to post by his childhood club. Gallagher has landed in Madrid and landed on his feet. Ultimately you can only feel so bad for a man who traded the Chelsea circus for Champions League football.
Vilified in England, perceived as little more than a bull in a China shop. He was paraded out in front of thousands of adoring fans at the Metropolitano. Gallagher’s perception at home and abroad could hardly be in starker contrast. It’s little more than Gallagher deserves, though, for a transfer saga spent in dutiful silence as those in the boardrooms decided his future from behind a chequebook.
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Gallagher enjoyed a season of great personal development last season. He is no longer the rampaging midfielder who saw red before he saw three points in a Chelsea shirt. Under the guidance of Mauricio Pochettino, there were big tackles and suffocating pressing sequences. But there were goals, there was poise, leadership and stoicism in another season where the off-field noise in west London was turned up to 11.
Out of the fire and into the frying pan, Gallagher will face the heat in Diego Simeone’s intoxicating Atletico side. But whereas in London he was chastised, in Madrid he’ll be celebrated. Atletico’s fanbase expects you to walk over hot coals in pursuit of glory. At Chelsea, such endeavour gets you burnt in the press.
He started all but one Premier League game for Chelsea last season, captaining the side on numerous occasions. He went straight into Atletico’s starting XI and will play a key role this season as they look to hunt down Barcelona and Real Madrid, who will surely surge back into the title race after a slow start.
Gallagher was serenaded by Atletico fans during his debut against Girona. His work rate and loyalty will wash well with a fiercely invested Atletico fanbase. Whilst his childhood club searches for connection under Enzo Maresca – the fourth permanent manager of the Clearlake ownership, Gallagher looks at home in Madrid.
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An unbeaten start to the season has kept Atletico on the toes of Barcelona, who’ve won all four of their opening games, and Gallagher has fitted seamlessly into Simeone’s plans. Chelsea is an international institution with a superficial relationship to the area it represents. There was nothing superficial about Gallagher’s love for the club, but in the modern era, that counts for little.
Few would argue that Gallagher has drawn the short straw in leaving Chelsea to join Atletico. In an environment where his dedication, leadership and energy are appreciated, he will soon find his international credibility restored.
Kieran Trippier recently retired from England duty with 54 caps, two Euros finals and that goal against Croatia. Lesser appreciated in England, he found his calling in Madrid. Gallagher will find similar joy under the guise of Simeone.
By: Sam Tabuteau / @TabuteauS
Featured Image: @GabFoligno / Chris Brunskill / Fantasista / Getty Images