Conor Gallagher has started all 13 of Chelsea FC ‘s Premier League matches this season, but he won’t be in the first team for the 14th. That’s because he was shown a red card today, after having picked up two yellow cards in the home win over Brighton & Hove Albion. Once Conor Gallagher got his marching orders, in the 45’, Chelsea had to continue on with only ten men against Brighton, so kudos to them for hanging on to their lead, and getting the W, despite being a man down, for an entire half.
Now manager Mauricio Pochettino, who expressed his massive disappointment last week when Reece James got booked (two yellow cards in the same half) against Newcastle, will be without the services of Conor Gallagher when Chelsea visit Manchester United in midweek.
Manchester United vs Chelsea FC FYIs
Kick: Wed. Dec. 6, 8:15 pm, Old Trafford
Starting XI Predictions: Chelsea FC Manchester United
Team News: Chelsea FC Manchester United
Transatlantic Passage: How the Premier League Redefined Soccer in America: LINK
Google Result Probability: Chelsea FC win 40% Draw 27% Manchester United 33%
PL Standing, Form Guide: Chelsea FC 10th, 19 pts, WLDWL Manchester United 7th, 24 pts, LWWWL
Rest of the Blues Team News
Pochettino also warned Nicolas Jackson, who has already drawn red, for five yellow cards accumulation, plus two more on top of that, to better understand the rules of the game. Otherwise Jackson will have no one to blame but himself, if he is out of the fold.
As Gallagher serves a one-match ban here, James is eligible again here after having finished serving his one-match suspension. Marc Cucurella is available again, after he served his one-match suspension earlier today. His was earned via five yellow card accumulation.
Elsewhere Christopher Nkunku still hasn’t featured yet, despite resuming full training, so maybe this is the match he makes the squad?
Ben Chilwell, Romeo Lavia (who is supposedly getting closer to a return, but behind Nkunku, so thus he’s still a ways out), Wesley Fofana, Carney Chukwuemeka and Trevoh Chalobah will all inevitably be ruled out of this one.
Paul M. Banks is the owner/manager of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
He’s written for numerous publications, including the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune. He regularly appears on NTD News and WGN News Now, while writing for the International Baseball Writers Association of America. You can follow the website on Twitter.