Chelsea’s head coach, Mauricio Pochettino, has put an end to the swirling uncertainty surrounding Conor Gallagher’s future, declaring that the talented midfielder “is in the club’s plans.”
Amidst reports of a £40m bid from West Ham United, Chelsea remains steadfast in their valuation of Gallagher at £50m.
The 23-year-old England international has been showcasing his skills during Chelsea’s pre-season tour in the United States, playing a crucial role in their 5-0 victory against Wrexham and the 4-3 triumph over Brighton & Hove Albion.
During the 2022-23 campaign, Gallagher firmly established himself as a key player for the Blues, appearing in 45 matches across all competitions, scoring three goals, and providing one assist.
Chelsea’s midfield has seen significant changes this summer, with the departures of Mason Mount, Mateo Kovacic, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, and N’Golo Kante. Addressing the void, Pochettino confirmed that the club is actively seeking to reinforce the midfield while simultaneously expressing a desire to retain Gallagher.
“We are working to reinforce that area, and other areas also,” stated Pochettino during a press conference on Tuesday. “The players on this tour are part of Chelsea’s plans. We are working diligently to add more talent in different positions and hope to finalize the deals soon.”
Pochettino’s strong vote of confidence in Gallagher is apparent, as he revealed, “Conor is in our plans, I was talking with him the first day I arrived. In football, things can happen we cannot manage. At the moment, I am happy with him and his performance, he has two years on his contract. We have nothing to say.”
The Argentine emphasized the significance of players’ commitment to Chelsea, stating, “The most important thing in all these situations is that players decide to be here at Chelsea. You need to feel your desire to be here and be committed to Chelsea. If you are not committed to the project, we will find a solution for both sides. I think all the players we have here are committed to helping the team and club achieve historical success.”
Gallagher’s remarkable contribution to Chelsea’s success during the 2022-23 Premier League season cannot be overlooked, with 35 appearances, three goals, and one assist to his name.