TEAMTALK
Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher has reportedly ‘cooled’ on a potential move to Newcastle United as he wants to fight under Mauricio Pochettino.
Gallagher’s spell at Crystal Palace last season showed he has what it takes to impact a Premier League side. He didn’t pull up any trees in previous loan spell within the top flight, which saw him join West Brom.
However, he was Palace’s best player during his time there. He was voted by fans as the player of the season, having scored eight goals and provided three assists in the league.
While he was eased in on his return to Chelsea, that he played at all showed they’d gained faith in him.
Indeed, Gallagher has been with the Blues since he was eight years old, but it took spells at four different sides before he made his debut for them.
The midfielder has played 35 times in the Premier League this season – 18 of those appearances coming from the start. He’s scored three goals and provided one assist.
The potential that he could move away from his boyhood club has been mooted, however. Suggestions Chelsea want to get rid have been coupled with interest from Newcastle United.
In May, it was reported Gallagher would be part of an ‘extensive’ clear-out at Stamford Bridge, and a move to the Magpies would be ‘simple’.
Gallagher ready to fight under Pochettino
However, that move might be a lot more difficult than first imagined, with Gallagher looking to get in the way of it himself.
The Mirror reports the 23-year-old may have ‘cooled’ a potential move to Newcastle because he wants to ‘fight for’ new boss Pochettino.
The report mentions how the new manager ‘always championed homegrown talent’ while he was managing Tottenham.
As such, players such as Gallagher could be given a greater role next season.
