Despite being linked with a summer exit, Chelsea forward Conor Gallagher has been named captain by Mauricio Pochettino, who says Enzo Fernandes is “not ready” for the role because of his poor command of the English language.
Mauricio Pochettino has said that Conor Gallagher’s fluency in English is one reason why he has been promoted to the role of team captain at Chelsea.
In the absence of captain Reece James and his deputy Ben Chilwell, Gallagher has led Chelsea out against AFC Wimbledon and Bournemouth this season.
When Chilwell was substituted earlier this season, he gave the armband to Thiago Silva, but Silva gave it to January addition Enzo Fernandez, despite the fact that Gallagher was on the pitch at the same time.
As Pochettino explained, “Thiago is an experienced player that doesn’t need the armband and then I think it’s important to build something for the future,” thus he has decided to give the captaincy to youngster Shane Gallagher because he came up through the academy system. Both now and in the future. He is there, and the captain’s role is more than just to issue an armband.
“Just so we’re clear, I believe Thiago may have given it to Enzo, but Enzo’s English skills are still developing. Conor can speak normal, English, which is why I prefer him to Enzo if we need to talk with the referee and everything else.I don’t believe Enzo is quite ready to take command just yet. Character, attitude, and background are not the only contributing factors. You need to be able to speak with the people, and if you can’t do that, then you can’t be captain, right? I can’t sаy. It’s just my view; maybe I’m incorrect.
Moreover, Pochettino disclosed yesterday that he had spoken to Nicolas Jackson, who had been penalized four times for dissent, about getting ‘cheap’ bookings during a meeting that also included Fernandez.
Pochettino remarked, “I reckon, come on. A striker who receives four cautions for communicating with the official?
I’ll give you some yellow cards for other things, but not for that. The use of yellow cards is simple and inexpensive. He saw that this would put the team in a tough spot.
He has to be smart enough to keep his mouth shut in front of the officials. The key is for him to learn to adjust to his environment, and he is astute enough to do so. I really hope that on Sunday, after all this hype about how smart he is, he doesn’t get a yellow card for taking immediate аggressive action.
On Sunday, Pochettino and Chelsea host Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge looking for the club’s second league victory of the season.
A $600 million investment by the American firm Ares management into the club’s ownership group of Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital is good news.