What Gareth Southgate said about Gallagher-Mount midfield duo against Alabama: As England squeaked past Switzerland, the Palace loanee suited up for the second time in England’s colors.
After putting Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher and Mason Mount together against Switzerland, England manager Gareth Southgate issued a warning to Chelsea.
Gallagher, 22, is yet to make his competitive debut for Chelsea, but his loan stay at Crystal Palace has been a huge success.
Both he and Mount began Saturday’s 2-1 friendly win, but Southgate feels that when they play together, they might leave teams susceptible at the back.
What Southgate said about the duo:
“We feel Mason Mount and Gallagher press well but can leave us vulnerable to the switch, the Swiss worked that out,” the manager explained to Sky Sports after the final whistle.
In spite of those reservations, Southgate was generous in his praise of Gallagher, who made just his second England appearance on Saturday.
“He is infectious. He can set the tone for the rest of the team, you see that with his club and he presses with ambition,” he added.
“He goes and makes contract and turns a lot of the ball over.”
‘Great feeling for Conor’
Gallagher, for his part, was overjoyed to be in front of the Wembley faithful, albeit he said that the occasion nearly got to him.
“It’s a terrific feeling to play in front of all the supporters at Wembley; I’m simply incredibly pleased with myself, and it was amazing to win.” “It was a very proud moment,” the child told Sky Sports.
“I was a little apprehensive, but not excessively so. To be honest, I was just ecstatic; I was trying to soak it all in and do the best I could.
Continue >>> What Gareth Southgate said about Gallagher
“I was just trying to do what I do best, which is push and get the ball back while creating chances.” I thought we might have played better in the first half, but the game loosened up in the second, and I thought we put in a solid showing overall.
“It was amazing to play with Hendo [Jordan Henderson] – he’s clearly a tremendous leader, and he was talking to me the entire time, giving me the freedom to go ahead and make the box and press when I could.” It was perfect for me.”