27th Sep, 2023 | 2:02pm

Agbonlahor baffled by Conor Gallagher development as three Chelsea stars lambasted

Gabby Agbonlahor has questioned the “strange” decision to make Conor Gallagher the Chelsea captain in Reece James’ absence.

The former Aston Villa striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, also tore into “erratic” summer signing Nicolas Jackson.

Gallagher has worn the armband for recent games against Bournemouth and Aston Villa, with Chelsea picking up just one point from those two matches.

That is despite widespread interest from West Ham and Tottenham in the England international during the summer window.

Pochettino has looked past the experience of 39-year-old Thiago Silva for the role.

Meanwhile, Jackson has managed just one goal in seven appearances and will miss next week’s clash with Fulham after racking up five yellow cards.

Agbonlahor told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “I can’t see anything else than another disappointing season for Chelsea.

“The performances are erratic, Nicolas Jackson is erratic up front. They brought him in to be the next Drogba, he’s more like Dele Adebola.

“He can’t trap a ball, his finishing is erratic and he’s shooting from angles that aren’t really on.

“Mudryk looks like he needs more time, which Chelsea don’t have.

“This Chelsea team is nothing to worry about.

“Conor Gallagher is captain at the moment, as well, which is strange. I don’t know where that has come from.”

Chelsea sit 14th in the Premier League having picked up just five points from a possible 18 to start the new campaign.

Football Insider revealed on Monday (25 September) that Pochettino is not yet under any real sack pressure at Stamford Bridge despite the Blues’ poor start to the season.

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