Jack Wilshere says he ‘feel sorry’ for England and Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher after he was hauled off at half-time in the Euro 2024 group game against Slovenia.
Gallagher came on as a second-half substitute in England’s first two Euros games and then replaced Trent Alexander-Arnold in the starting line-up against Slovenia.
But the 24-year-old, who is being linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge despite captaining Chelsea for most of last season, only lasted 45 minutes before being subbed off for Kobbie Mainoo.
Wilshere believes England improved after the Manchester United starlet’s introduction but ‘feel sorry’ for Gallagher, whose confidence will have taken a ‘knock’ by Gareth Southgate’s substitution.
‘I feel that it was harsh on Conor Gallagher that he was taken off at half time [against Slovenia],’ Wilshere told The Sun.
‘Firstly because it was probably our best half of the tournament. And secondly, because it didn’t feel like a Gareth Southgate thing to do.
‘It will knock Gallagher’s confidence, for sure. He will have thought that this was his chance, but he only gets a half.
‘Having said that, despite the disappointing result, the second half was better and Mainoo proved he is the man – or boy – to play there in future.
‘He’s only 19 but he understands the game so well and knows what it needs. He is better on the ball than Gallagher and he also allowed Declan Rice to get forward even more in the second half than he had in the first.
‘But I do feel a bit sorry for Conor Gallagher.’
Despite featuring in all but one of Chelsea’s Premier League games last season, Gallagher has been linked with a move away from west London amid interest from Tottenham and Aston Villa.
Following Gallagher’s performance against Slovenia, former striker Chris Sutton expects Mainoo to start England’s last-16 tie against Slovakia, who went through as one of the best third-placed teams after finishing on four points in Group E.
‘I’m expecting Southgate to make one change from the team that drew with Slovenia and choose Kobbie Mainoo instead of Conor Gallagher in midfield,’ Sutton told BBC Sport.
‘I actually want him to pick Cole Palmer, whose creativity in the 20 minutes he played in that game made England look a far more potent team, as his number 10… but I don’t think he will.’
If England beat Slovakia they will face Switzerland or European Championship holders Italy in the quarter-finals.
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