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Scouting expert: Crystal Palace ace Conor Gallagher should have won Young Player of the Year award not Phil Foden
We’re delighted to welcome Football Manager’s Wolves researcher Dave Azzopardi as our exclusive columnist. Each week the scouting expert will be giving his views on the biggest talking points on Wonderkids across the UK…
Crystal Palace loanee Conor Gallagher should have won the Premier League Young Player of the Year award, not Phil Foden according to Dave Azzopardi.
The Man City playmaker was given the award for a second consecutive season as they lifted their fourth Premier League title in five seasons under Pep Guardiola.
But according to scouting expert Azzopardi it was Gallagher, who spent the season at Selhurst Park on loan from Chelsea, who deserved the gong after his ‘phenomenal’ season and he believes if he isn’t given first-team assurances at Stamford Bridge then he’ll leave.
“There’s been a few players in the Premier League who have been thrown in at the deep end and done quite well, players like Anthony Gordon as well at Everton,” he told The Football Wonderkids.
“Foden was a weird one because obviously he had a good year, it’s not been a bad year for him, but there’s always players who seem to be overlooked.
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“Anthony Gordon is a player who straight away, he’s someone – and I think this is a good thing about these players at a young age – they’ve just got no fear. Gelhardt, Anthony Gordon, they’re just someone who likes to run at people, they’ve got nothing to lose.
“Even someone like, I know he quietened down in the second half of the season, but someone like Conor Gallagher could have easily had a shout. It was his breakthrough Premier League year and I would say in the first half of the season he was phenomenal.
“In front of goal, his work rate off the ball, his distance covered. He had a solid season and for him next year it will be interesting because he’s a player who you wouldn’t want to just see him sitting on Chelsea’s bench.
“He’ll be going out and playing football so if he hasn’t got first-team guarantees at Chelsea he’ll be looking for another side next season whether that will be on loan or a permanent deal.“
Gallagher’s future has been a hot topic this season, with several clubs interested in signing him although Thomas Tuchel is said to be keen on keeping him at Chelsea to take a look at him over pre-season [Football London].
In other Football Wonderkids news, Wolves starlet set for ‘big year’ in 22/23 season according to scouting expert