Surplus to requirements at Chelsea, Conor Gallagher looked well set for the kind of success Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane have enjoyed abroad.
The Three Lions midfielder left his boyhood team last summer for Atletico Madrid, and with more and more English players heading to the continent, it appeared to be a masterstroke.
Yet with fewer and fewer appearances and goal involvements in the Spanish capital, the tide is starting to turn on the midfielder.
Madrid media giants AS have penned an editorial on Gallagher entitled ‘Expediente Gallagher’ or ‘The Gallagher File’ in English.
In it, they look at how a bright spark has fizzled out as the season has worn on, and why now it’s crucial for the 25-year-old to shine once more as ‘his role declining’.
Gallagher arrived with much anticipation, with Chelsea failing to agree a swap deal with Samu Omorodion, but later patching one up for Joao Felix.
AS write that his unveiling on ‘Welcome Night’ at Atleti’s Metropolitano brought plenty of hype, as he was introduced to the crowd in a quartet of new arrivals alongside Julian Alvarez, Alexander Sorloth and Robin Le Normand.
They also add that Gallagher has the perfect ‘Cholista’ characteristics, referring to manager Diego Simeone’s nickname ‘Cholo’ and it’s hard to disagree, a solid runner and tough tackler with an incredible engine.
Those talents were put on show in his early days, scoring two goals in his first five games as he appeared to fit like a glove and earned the nickname as Simeone’s ‘Pitbull’.
He also showed his keenness to learn in that welcome introduction with a spot of Spanish, however, therein lies the first problem.
AS claim that Gallagher’s position has been modified so he can play closer to English speakers Nelson Vivas and ex-Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta.
A clip even went viral of Simeone explaining his lack of English to the midfielder.
Atletico MadridSimeone hinted there may be some issues during an early chat[/caption]
Also, much like his impressive start, not only have his language skills dropped off, but his output too, without a goal in his next 25 appearances after that rapid start, although AS omit his three assists.
Gallagher had a run of starts to begin his Atleti career and has played 90 minutes four times, yet he hasn’t done so since November.
Increasingly shifted out to the left wing with academy graduate Pablo Barrios shining in midfield, Brazilian Samuel Lino has also surpassed him on to that flank.
Now 12th in minutes among Atleti’s squad, Gallagher could drop further, having been brutally left out against Bayer Leverkusen in a technical decision by Simeone.
Yet he’s now been presented with an opportunity, as club captain Koke is injured and Barrios is suspended for a trip to Valencia’s Mestalla.
In the midst of an intense and error strewn three-way LaLiga title fight, AS put it simply – the time has come for the Pitbull to make his mark again.
