Potter must unleash Chelsea’s “relentless” gem vs Villa, he could be a major “threat”
Chelsea will face Aston Villa tonight at Stamford Bridge, following a recent international break. The 23-year-old Conor Gallagher could be given the chance to play and make a significant difference.
Graham Potter has led the team to a mini-revival lately, winning three out of four matches in March, including a 2-0 victory over Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League last 16. This good form is expected to continue tonight against Aston Villa.
Several players have shown improvement recently, including Kai Havertz and Joao Felix, who scored against Everton in their last match before the break. This will undoubtedly give Potter a much-needed boost as the season draws to a close.
Potter may decide to make some changes to the starting lineup, given that a league match against Liverpool is coming up just 72 hours after the Villa game. This could give some players a chance to prove themselves, with Conor Gallagher eagerly anticipating his next opportunity.
Although Gallagher has played 24 times in the Premier League this season, he has only started ten matches. He will be hoping that Potter gives him the nod to start tonight’s match against Aston Villa.
Gallagher had an outstanding season with Crystal Palace last year, establishing himself as a player with a bright future. He contributed 11 goals (eight goals and three assists), made 1.1 key passes, and created five big chances, demonstrating his attacking abilities.
Despite returning to Chelsea, Gallagher may not have lived up to the heights he expected following his successful loan spell. His Sofascore rating of 6.8/10 is good, but not outstanding.
However, Gallagher had one of his best performances of the season against Leicester City, despite only playing the second half. His Sofascore rating of 8/10 was the highest of any player on the field, and he managed 41 touches, one key pass, and a 100% dribble success rate, which could be crucial for Potter’s tactical plans.
Journalist and analytics expert Patrick Rowe has praised Gallagher for his “relentless work rate” and “threat in the final third.” There is no doubt that if he performs like he did against Leicester a few weeks ago, the £50k-per-week gem can cause problems for Villa’s defense.
Villa has conceded 39 goals this season, and Gallagher could help the Stamford Bridge outfit secure another three points, which would bring them closer to the European places.