Fewer touches than Guaita: CPFC lightweight who lost 86% duels let Vieira down today - opinion

Crystal Palace were narrowly defeated 2-1 by a strong Leicester City side at the King Power Stadium in the Premier League today. Patrick Vieira’s side failed to repeat their great performance against Arsenal last week, and lacked the belief and effort needed to get anything from the game.

One player that Palace have looked to all season to provide that moment of magic is star midfielder, Conor Gallagher. However, today he was nowhere to be seen.

The on-loan Chelsea player registered only 29 touches which was far fewer than goalkeeper Vicente Guaita. He also lost a whopping 86% of his duels throughout his time on the pitch according to SofaScore.

He was finally substituted in the 58th minute making way for Eberechi Eze, and in the just over half an hour Eze was on, he had impacted the game just as much as Gallagher.

The highly-rated Englishman let Vieira down but he’ll be hoping it’s a one-off, and if it isn’t Palace aren’t short of players who will be knocking on the door to start ahead of him.

It’s an unusual performance from Gallagher who has shone for the Eagles this season scoring eight goals and assisting five. He also has the highest amount of goal creating actions in the whole squad this season with 13.

Today was one to forget with the 22-year old also failing to register a single dribble as he lacked in an area he usually thrives in, driving forward with the ball.

The performance comes after his parent club Chelsea rejected Palace’s request to play him in the FA Cup semi-final where the two sides face each other.

With his run of form this season, there has been much speculation about whether he will return to West London and be involved in Thomas Tuchel’s plans, or whether he will move to Selhurst Park