Garth Crooks warns Spurs that top target may have ‘a distinct lack of leadership’

Garth Crooks has slammed rumoured Tottenham target Conor Gallagher for not doing more to stop the squabble among his teammates when Chelsea were awarded a penalty last week.

It looks inevitable that Tottenham will make a move for Gallagher this summer, with the midfielder set to enter the final year of his contract at Chelsea.

Various sources have claimed that the 24-year-old had been identified as a top target by Ange Postecoglou as soon as the Australian walked through the door at Spurs last summer (GiveMeSport).

It has been widely reported that amidst interest from Tottenham, the Blues are expected to cash in on their academy graduate this summer in order to ensure they do not fall foul of the Profit and Sustainability Rules (The Times).

Conor Gallagher criticised for lacking leadership

When Chelsea thrashed Everton 6-0 in their Premier League clash last week, there was a bizarre incident in the second half, with a few players fighting with Cole Palmer to take a penalty after the home side was awarded a spot kick.

Crooks has said that Gallagher, who was wearing the armband that evening, showed a distinct lack of leadership by not being assertive and taking control of that situation.

The former Spurs striker told BBC Sport about the infighting ahead of the penalty: “The incident was something straight out of the school playground, and certainly not worthy of a Premier League fixture.

“Noni Madueke and Nicolas Jackson are two young Chelsea players who know how to play football, but clearly, they haven’t been taught how to conduct themselves.

“It was their squabbling that created the unedifying spectacle in the first place. The captain on the night, Conor Gallagher, showed a distinct lack of leadership by not being much more assertive and acting far sooner by admonishing the two protagonists and taking control of the situation.

“If he had done, Palmer wouldn’t have had to get embroiled in a pushing match in order for him, the official penalty taker, to eventually convert the spot-kick.”

Spurs Web Opinion

One would have certainly expected Gallagher as captain to take control of the situation and lay down the law to his teammates. However, the midfielder is quite young himself and perhaps needs time to mature into a commanding leader.

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