Conor Gallagher is arguably one of Atlético de Madrid's best market moves of recent seasons. A powerful midfielder that has risen up from the Chelsea academy ranks and who has managed to stand out in Premier League. At just 24 years of age, he is already proving to be one of the most proactive midfielders in La Liga EA Sports and is making an instant impact for Atlético in the competition.
It is really difficult to define Gallagher's position on the pitch, as his proactivity and multiple roles on and off the ball make him a superlative all-rounder. In fact, few midfielders in the competition run more than he does. He excels in all off-the-ball behaviours, as he is a midfielder who balances Atlético de Madrid after a loss and at the same time is tactical and jumps in to press the opponent and regain possession. He is above the 70th percentile in his performance on such important tactical metrics as press after loss, hold after loss or moving forward during organized pressure. Gallagher’s games are full of defensive balance situations. His alertness allows him to anticipate, move quickly without the ball and jump into pressure, as he did against Athletic Club.
Moreover, he is a very self-sacrificing player who does not deny effort. His tremendous physical capacity allows him to go and come back, as well as to be attentive in all situations of the game and winning second balls, whether in dynamic play or set pieces. There is an action of Conor Gallagher in the nineteenth minute of the Atlético de Madrid match at San Mamés that helps to explain and understand perfectly what the former Chelsea player is like, as well as linking his behaviour without the ball and with the ball. There is a loss by Iñaki Williams where Gallagher is very attentive and recovers possession, then looks forward and executes a very interesting filtered pass for the spider Julián Álvarez.
Conor Gallagher, far from being a static defensive pivot, is a player who likes to occupy areas behind opposing midfielders and defenders to get into the box to finish or threaten. He is a very difficult midfielder to defend, because he does not start from a stable and marked position, but comes in from the back with strength and solvency. He is one of the midfielders who wins most offensive duels, as he uses his body and his wingspan well. He is a cheerful player, who provides solutions for his team-mates in midfield and who constantly offers himself between the lines to receive and generate play. He likes to carry the ball, break lines and surprise on the run.
He tends to always look forward and has a privileged vision of the game. It is no coincidence that he is in the 90th percentile in this last tactical aspect of the game “Receiving between the lines”. On many occasions, he is the offensive rudder of Simeone's team, as he is the midfielder who receives the most passes behind the back of the defensive line. He adapts his positioning and moves behind the opposition's back, but he never stands still or tends to be predictable. He is a player in whom uncertainty, volatility and unpredictability reign. It is these characteristics of Conor that have allowed him to surprise and score goals like the one against Valencia after Rodrigo De Paul's assist. Will Gallagher continue to make strides in La Liga and keep his team mates singing his name?