View: Why West Brom star tipped to be ‘top, top player’ is crucial v Man United
It is fair to say that West Brom fans have been impressed with Chelsea loanee Conor Gallagher so far this season – and it is definitely true within the club.
Despite the former Charlton Athletic and Swansea City man having made just four Premier League appearances, he has quickly earned the faith of his manager and made a lasting impact on his teammates.
“Conor’s been fantastic for me,” club captain Jake Livermore told West Brom’s official website earlier this month.
“His energy levels and quality in training every day is a steal for us and I’m tipping him to be a top, top player.”
On the pitch Gallagher is still a little raw, but he clearly has a number of natural abilities that make him a really dangerous attacker to have in the side. Capable of carrying the ball at pace, he has helped drive forward a previously static Baggies central midfield.
Despite him being yet to score or provide an assist in the top-flight, there is little doubt that will come given his record in the Championship. Playing for two separate clubs last season, the 20-year-old managed six goals and eight assists in 46 league starts (via WhoScored).
With Slaven Bilic having stuck with a midfield three of Livermore, Gallagher and Filip Krovinovic in recent weeks, there was some evidence of progress against Tottenham Hotspur. The midfielders completed a combined total of five dribbles, three key passes and five shots (via WhoScored). Question marks remain over Livermore’s influence, but Bilic looks to have found some balance with Krovinovic and Gallagher.
Against Manchester United next Saturday Gallagher could be especially important, with his energy and ability to press vital against a nervy United side. When pressed by Arsenal, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men struggled to progress the ball up the pitch and this cancelled out the threat of attackers Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes. Given time and space though, both can be deadly as they showed against Everton last weekend. Therefore, preventing the supply line is vital.
Other than Sam Field, who has played just 62 minutes all season, no West Brom player has completed more successful pressures per 90 minutes than Gallagher. Furthermore, he has completed the most combined tackles and interceptions per 90 in the squad, not including Field or Rekeem Harper who have not featured regularly (via FBRef). Paired with his ball carrying ability, second most successful dribbles per 90 (via FBRef), the England youth international is definitely the sort of player that can cause Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof issues, on and off the ball.
In other West Brom news, View: Why international break has come at the worst time for West Brom