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Conor Gallagher admits half-time substitution was painful but says he’s ready to bring energy if called on against Switzerland

talksport.com 2024/10/5

Conor Gallagher has told England boss Gareth Southgate what he can do after admitting the pain of being subbed off at half-time.

England find themselves in the quarter-final of Euro 2024 after a dramatic victory over Slovakia on Sunday where Jude Bellingham's stunning overhead kick saw them draw level.

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Gallagher was subbed off at half-time against Slovenia at Euro 2024
Gallagher was subbed off at half-time against Slovenia at Euro 2024

Southgate will already have to chop and change his side with one player forced to miss out while midfield remains a problematic area with Trent Alexander-Arnold, Kobbie Mainoo and Gallagher all tried as partners with Declan Rice.

Chelsea star Gallagher was named in the role against Slovenia in the group stage but was hauled off at half-time and replaced by Mainoo, who went on to start the next match against Slovakia.

And the 24-year-old has admitted that the decision certainly bruised him, though he did insist he held no ill will towards Southgate.

Speaking to talkSPORT, Gallagher said: "Obviously, it is not nice and you want to play as much as possible.

"Getting an opportunity to start a game for England at a major tournament is incredible and I was really excited.

"But it was a really difficult game, I don't think we were playing particularly great. We weren't really creating any chances.

"I understand the manager wanted to change a couple of things tactically and bringing on Kobbie [Mainoo] to come a little deeper and pick up the ball, completely understandable.

"What is great about the manager is that he came and told me before he told the team so I knew and it was fine.

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Gallagher had a tough time against Slovenia but is ready to give his all when called upon
Gallagher had a tough time against Slovenia but is ready to give his all when called upon

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Mainoo might have nudged ahead of Gallagher in the pecking order
Mainoo might have nudged ahead of Gallagher in the pecking order

"Obviously, you want to play as much as possible but I completely understand."

While Southgate might still be pondering over his selections in midfield, England have plenty of options to choose from.

England players train ahead of their quarter-final clash against Switzerland at Euro 2024

With Rice almost certain to start, as well as Alexander-Arnold, Gallagher and Mainoo, there is Adam Wharton, who rose to prominence after becoming an integral part to Crystal Palace's XI following his signing from Blackburn in January.

The 20-year-old was so impressive that he forced his way into the England set-up over more experienced players such as Jordan Henderson and Kalvin Phillips and Gallagher believes the competition is keeping him on his toes.

"We are all kind of different and I think in these games that we have had so far, the gaffer has chosen the player who he thinks is best suited to the game.

"Me, personally, I will always bring energy and work as hard as I can going forward and defensively but then you've got, say, Trent [Alexander-Arnold], who can pick out a pass from anywhere and is great on the ball and Kobbie, who is amazing on the ball and is so confident.

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"Adam [Wharton] is the same, moves the ball so well, passes the ball so well. I think everyone is a bit different but it is always healthy competition."

With England preparing to meet Switzerland, live on talkSPORT, there are rumours that Southgate could match their back-three system, a formation that the Three Lions have not started with in a major tournament since the Euro 2020 final.

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Gallagher admitted that there is a lot of competition for a spot in midfield
Gallagher admitted that there is a lot of competition for a spot in midfield

But Gallagher has insisted that whether England play three at the back or four, the tactics will remain largely the same.

"Nothing really changes with the England team. Every tactic is something that we have done before and something we are familiar with.

"We have played a number of different ways for England over the last few years and for a midfielder, it is the same kind of things you know."

England will face Switzerland on Saturday afternoon at the Merkur Spiel-Arena in Dusseldorf with the match being exclusively broadcast on talkSPORT.

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