Conor Gallagher was handed his first-ever start in an England shirt on Saturday evening.
The Three Lions faced off with Switzerland in a friendly clash. Given the nature of the game and the fact England had a lot of key stars missing, it was a good time for Gareth Southgate to hand some new faces a chance.
The former Middlesbrough boss did exactly that with three Crystal Palace stars making an appearance on the day.
Right at home in r̶e̶d̶ ̶a̶n̶d̶ blue and red ❤️?
Tyrick Mitchell, Conor Gallagher and Marc Guéhi all featured for @England in a 2-1 win at Wembley ?#CPFC pic.twitter.com/c9olXZeGhw
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) March 26, 2022
Chelsea sent Gallagher message
Though Gallagher is currently at Palace, he is only on loan from Chelsea where he is expected to challenge for first-team football next campaign.
And Thomas Tuchel was handed a good chance to see what Gallagher can do in his preferred formation as England switched to a three-back with Gallagher as a six during the tie.
However, when working in a 3-4-3/3-5-2 with fellow Chelsea man Mason Mount, Southgate believes it made England more vulnerable:
“We feel Mason Mount and Gallagher press well but can leave us vulnerable to the switch, the Swiss worked that out,” he stated.
Given Mount does not often work as a six anymore in Chelsea’s 3-4-3, it is probably not too much of a concern for Tuchel, but it is something the German will want to keep an eye on.
And despite his and Mount’s partnership leaving England vulnerable, Southgate was still full of praise for Gallagher post-match:
“He [Gallagher] is infectious and he can set the tone for the rest of the team, you see that with his club and he presses with ambition,” Southgate said.
“He goes and makes contract and turns a lot of the ball over.”
