Chelsea Loan Round-up: Gallagher, Chalobah, Brown impress

ENGLAND:

Conor Gallagher, Chelsea’s Academy Player of the Year made his full debut for Charlton Athletic on Saturday at the Valley, against Stoke City. He operated as the furthest-forward midfielder in a 4-2-3-1/4-4-1-1 and was instrumental in the Addicks’ 3-1 win, retaining possession well in advanced areas and showing real tenacity off the ball. It was a typically all-action performance from Gallagher, who topped it off by killing the game with a goal in the 83rd minute. Conor capitalised on Lyle Taylor’s near-post flick by darting into the middle of the box and rifling the ball into the back of the net.

Trevoh Chalobah made his Huddersfield Town debut in the Carabao Cup, and was one of the very few lining up for the Terriers to come away from their loss to Lincoln City, with any sort of credit. He wasn’t up against physically dominant attackers but performed his defensive duties comfortably and was spot-on with most of his passing. It was a more ‘measured’ display than any of his showings at Ipswich Town last season and he barely gave the ball away, picking the right moment to play progressive passes instead of attempting the ‘Hollywood’ pass one time too many.

It’s yet to be seen if Chalobah will start against Fulham on Friday night but Jan Siewert has confirmed that he will be in the squad.

“He is on the way.

”It was important for him he played the last game, as it was three weeks previously when he last played.

”That was a long time that he didn’t play, but then he directly played the whole game.”

”He was a bit sore and tired after the game, but I was pleased with how he directly found his role, so I am definitely sure this guy will help us.

”Trevoh is stable in his position defensively, as a 6 or as a deep 8, and it’s important now he gets game time which, of course, he will.

”Tuesday was the best way to bring him directly onto the pitch, and then he was in recovery before training Thursday and Friday.

”He is improving and feeling confident in his body, and when he feels confident in his body he will perform even better.

”So he has settled in, I would say, and he will definitely be in our squad against Fulham.”

- Jan Siewert (Huddersfield Town manager), source: Examiner Live

Jake Clarke-Salter was an unused substitute for Birmingham City last weekend, remaining firmly behind Marc Roberts, Kristian Pedersen and Harlee Dean for a starting spot at centre-back. Jake did make his bow for the Blues in the Carabao Cup but it wasn’t a memorable one as they lost 3-0 to Portsmouth. In fairness, Pep Clotet fielded a very young squad, featuring a back-five with an average age of 21.2 and the attacking-three standing even lower at 19.3.

Josh Grant played all 90 minutes on the right-hand-side of a back-three as Plymouth Argyle beat Leyton Orient 2-0 in the Carabao Cup. As far as debut appearances go, it was an assured one for the young defender, who was disciplined but also unafraid to step out with the ball at his feet.

Izzy Brown had a superb debut for Luton Town. With an inch-perfect deep cross, he assisted their opening goal of a 3-1 cup win over Ipswich Town and had the fans signing his name in no time.

Despite lacking in regular minutes for one-and-a-half years, Izzy looked as sharp as ever, operating in a midfield diamond and looking to make something happen every single time he was in possession in the final third of the pitch. He opened up spaces with switches in play easily, glided past opposition players time and time again, and showed great awareness to play the ball to his teammates in threatening positions throughout his 66 minutes on the pitch. It’s only upwards from here.

Matt Miazga and Reading suffered a 2-1 defeat to Hull City, with the Tigers making good of two very good chances for their goals.

Richard Nartey has been kept from featuring for Burton Albion due to a small ankle problem.

Dujon Sterling wasn’t fit enough to make the Wigan bench last weekend, but started in their Carabao Cup loss to Stoke City, who edged the game 0-1 thanks to a header from 18-year-old captain, Nathan Collins. Sterling had a mixed game, linking play to advanced areas well and combining with his winger, Gavin Massey as well as central attacking midfielder Bright Enobakhare, who dropped into the right-side half-spaces frequently. Sterling also helped keep James McClean quiet for most of the first-half, but was sorely lacking in his end product insofar as actually playing the ball into the penalty area went. Several of his crosses were blocked, and only one managed to reach the six-yard-box. He also suffered some uncanny lapses in concentration towards the end of the game.

Luke McCormick has started all of Shrewsbury’s non-EFL Trophy games thus far, although the last two have resulted in disappointing losses to MK Dons (1-0) and Rotherham United (0-4, Carabao Cup). McCormick has been generally industrious but yet to stamp his influence on games as he should, but also showing brief glimpses of his talent and promise of what is to come through the course of the season.

GERMANY:

Ethan Ampadu has spent some time out injured due to ‘muscular’ problems but is back in training now. Meanwhile, Lewis Baker’s first competitive game for Fortuna Dusseldorf saw him dictate play in a deep-lying role against Villingen in the DFB Pokal with the regular Bundesliga season due to start this week.

THE NETHERLANDS:

Charly Musonda played the last half-hour of Vitesse’s 0-2 win against Willem II. With this, he built upon a 17-minute appearance in their season-opener against Ajax and played two consecutive competitive games for the first time in over a year. Good on him!

Ike Ugbo was an unused sub for Roda JC.

BRAZIL:

Nathan was an unused substitute for Atletico Mineiro despite scoring off the bench last weekend.