Conor Gallagher enjoyed a brilliant loan spell at Crystal Palace last season and rejoined Chelsea over the summer amid tremendous excitement. However, his recent outing against Charlotte FC was a game he would like to forget immediately.
The Premier League giants continued their U.S. tour, taking on the MLS side on Wednesday in an interesting pre-season showdown. After beating Mexican giants Club America 2-1 over the weekend, the Blues were keen on maintaining that run by overcoming the Eastern Conference side, and got off to a lovely start.
American attacker Christian Pulisic broke the deadlock after only 30 minutes in his bid to impress head coach Thomas Tuchel, profiting from a fortunate deflection to dink the keeper. Unfortunately for the London side, they let this lead slip in the final minutes, with Chelsea conceding the equalizer courtesy of a 92nd-minute penalty.
While this was not a competitive game, the match headed into a penalty shootout in order to determine the winner. Sadly for the visitors, Chelsea lost 5-3 after Gallagher missed from the spot with his side's third effort.
The Englishman looked to cheekily roll the ball down the middle but unfortunately for him, the Charlotte FC goalkeeper stood his ground and did not dive, thus collecting the midfielder's tamed shot.
While a mere spot kick during the pre-season is not what determines whether a player is quality or not, Gallagher was trolled mercilessly on social media nonetheless, with some labelling his penalty miss as one of the worst attempts ever. Check out the best reactions below.
Chelsea lose on penalties to Charlotte FC
— B/R Football (@brfootball) July 21, 2022
This kick from Conor Gallagher
(via @TNTSportsBR)pic.twitter.com/shcUlHqr01
Conor Gallagher's penalty pic.twitter.com/clXZslFlJ2
— FootballJOE (@FootballJOE) July 21, 2022
Not a moment Conor Gallagher is going to want to remember in a Chelsea shirt.
— HLTCO (@HLTCO) July 21, 2022
The commentator laughing just rubs salt in the wounds.
pic.twitter.com/XXFIqJvfjh
Conor Gallagher has just done a Pat Nevin
— Matt Law (@Matt_Law_DT) July 21, 2022
Gallagher with one of the worst penalties I've ever seen
— (@Vintage_Cfc) July 21, 2022
pic.twitter.com/yNgxUW27ny
Conor Gallagher's penalty last night. pic.twitter.com/XwhiDPyrMF
— Football Tweet (@Football__Tweet) July 21, 2022
Only pre season. A poor pen from Gallagher but is what it is man. Isn't that deep.
— Conn (@ConnCFC) July 21, 2022