Conor Gallagher is set to be the next Englishman to play in La Liga. While it’s a rarely trodden path, the success of those who have moved to Spain suggests the midfielder will perform well at Atletico Madrid.
Jude Bellingham’s blistering debut season at Real Madrid is the most recent and relative example. The 21-year-old midfielder took La Liga by storm, scoring 23 goals, leading Real to the title, and winning La Liga Player of the Year. While Gallagher is unlikely to have anywhere near the impact, he shares Bellingham’s ability to drive into attacking positions late and score goals. This skill can help Atleti break down some of La Liga’s more defensive sides.
The success of the last English player to join Atleti, Kieran Trippier, is another positive sign for the Gallagher move. The full-back spent two years in Spain and was a major cog in Diego Simeone’s last title-winning side.
Despite his short stint in Spain, Atleti fans hold Trippier in high regard. Atleti’s impressive transfer business this summer has raised hopes they can push for the title again, and their shortening odds at the big-name bookmakers suggest they can.
Real Madrid brought in three English players during their Galacticos era of the early 2000s. Most People will remember David Beckham and Michael Owen playing for Los Blancos, but the third Englishman, Jonathan Woodgate, may be harder to recall. The centre-back made arguably the worst debut ever, and his Real career never truly recovered.
While Beckham was clearly the most successful transfer of the three, even he had poor periods throughout his career in Spain. The relative failure of these three Englishmen may indicate more about Real’s flawed transfer policy than the English player’s ability to adapt to new surroundings.
Gary Lineker is the first real success story when it comes to English players in La Liga. After winning the Golden Boot at the 1986 World Cup, the striker joined Barcelona. He bagged 52 goals for the Catalan side over his three seasons in Spain.
Barca fans fondly remember Lineker as he helped the club win the Copa del Rey in 1988 and the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1989. His willingness to play outside his favoured position and high work rate were critical factors in his success. Galagher shares both traits, increasing the likelihood of his move to Atleti being a success.
If you asked fans who was the first English player to play in Spain, many would say it was Laurie Cunningham. That isn’t actually correct, as Harry Lowe was the first, playing a single game for Real Sociedad in 1935. However, Cunningham’s move to Real Madrid in 1979 opened the door for players to make the move today.
Overall, English players do well in La Liga, especially at the biggest Spanish clubs. Gallagher’s work rate and skills mesh well with Diego Simeone’s system, so he’ll likely continue the trend.
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