Conor Gallagher might not have started Tottenham’s win over Chelsea, but he played a key role in ensuring Spurs got the job done at Stamford Bridge – and James Maddison has posted a cheeky reply.

Gallagher might have more to be annoyed with BlueCo and Todd Boehly than most. After 18 years at Chelsea, having joined at age six, the midfielder was offloaded by the Blues for Financial Fair Play gains.

After four loans at Charlton, Swansea, West Brom and Crystal Palace, Gallagher remained loyal to Chelsea and ended up captaining the Blues. He played 95 times in all competitions before he left the club in 2024.

James Maddison’s cheeky reply to Spurs ace Conor Gallagher

Gallagher got revenge, though 18 months later. He joined Tottenham after 77 outings for Atletico Madrid, and on Saturday night, he might feel he has had the last laugh. Spurs cruised past Chelsea to win 2-0.

Gallagher replaced Maddison in the second half to a chorus of boos, even if he didn’t ever want to leave Chelsea and the hierarchy forced him into an exit. He played a key role in helping Spurs get the victory.

Amid all the fans questioning whether Gallagher was really Chelsea or Spurs deep down, Maddison made it clear to supporters that Gallagher is really “Spurssss”; that he is no longer of a Chelsea persuasion.

Gallagher won more duels than six starting Chelsea players

Tottenham steamrolled Chelsea in the middle of the park. Often having an extra man, Chelsea’s Jordan Henderson and Moises Caicedo were overrun by Sandro Tonali, James Maddison and Mateus Fernandes.

But with Gallagher on the pitch, any hope Chelsea had of scoring instantly dried up. His introduction may have reduced Tottenham’s creative quality, but it instantly allowed Spurs to dominate the remainder.

He won five duels after coming on with 39 minutes to play. Some going, and even more so given only four outfield Chelsea players who started the match won five or more duels themselves on Saturday.

Josh Acheampong, Pedro Neto, Moises Caicedo and Levi Colwill all won five or more duels. But having only played 39 minutes, he won more than Maxence Lacroix, Henderson, Palmer and Morgan Rogers.

It’s time for Chelsea to take a long, hard look in the mirror and ask themselves what their ambitions are for the rest of the season. Are they happy with mid-table again? Right now, that’s what they look like.