Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher on conversation with Thomas Tuchel and competition for places
Speaking to Sky Sports (h/t Football.London), Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher reveals the conversation he had with former manager Thomas Tuchel that reassured him of his future at Stamford Bridge this summer.
After a successful loan spell at Crystal Palace last season, which was his fourth, the 22-year-old decided to stay at Stamford Bridge and fight for his place in the team.
He struggled in the first few games under Tuchel, when he was asked to play the rigid central midfield role. Since the arrival of Potter though, the England international has been given more of an advanced role in midfield, which is suiting his style of play.
Here’s what Gallagher revealed about his conversation with Tuchel (h/t Football.London):
“I felt like I was ready to play for Chelsea, I had done four different loans and they’ve all been a step up and I felt like I was ready to play for Chelsea.
“I had a conversation with Thomas [Tuchel], the manager at the time and he agreed. He thought the same which was amazing to hear and from there it was only showing him what I can do and play as much as I can and as well as I can.”
The 22-year-old also talked about Potter, his impressive style of management and accepted that there will be competition for places in this team. Here’s what he said (h/t Football.London):
“From the first day [under Potter] the training was so competitive and it made you feel like everyone had a chance to play and everyone was training really hard to impress a new manager like you do when a new manager comes in. It’s healthy competition.”
Potter is the type of manager who likes to give young players a chance and allow them the time to develop and flourish. He has already done a good job on Gallagher, who looked directionless at the start of the season under Tuchel.
Gallagher, on the other hand, has a big future at Chelsea if he continues to do well. He is a player who can operate in multiple positions but is most comfortable as an advanced central midfielder.
There will always be competition for places at such a big club that challenges on all fronts. That is where players need to take their chances with both hands as and when it comes.
The 22-year-old, who has had loan spells at West Bromwich Albion and Swansea City along with Crystal Palace, has the attributes and mentality to be a regular player in this team in the near distant future. The long-term injury to N’Golo Kante has already enhanced his chances of getting more game time until the World Cup.
More Chelsea News:
- Graham Potter reveals how Edouard Mendy has responded to Kepa starting games for Chelsea
- Romano: Joe Shields joining Chelsea as part of the recruitment team is a done deal
- Ben Jacobs claims Chelsea will look to sign Harry Kane from Spurs
It remains to be seen if he gets the nod ahead of Jorginho or Mateo Kovacic to start today in the Premier League encounter against Aston Villa at Park. The Blues need a positive result if they want to go into the week still in the top four, with Manchester United hot on their heels.
