Conor Gallagher reveals secret Mauricio Pochettino talks as Chelsea make major transfer U-turn
Conor Gallagher has heaped tremendous praise on Mauricio Pochettino despite a shaky start to life in the Chelsea dugout. The 23-year-old midfielder was heavily linked with an exit from Stamford Bridge in the summer following the arrivals of Moises Caicedo, Romeo Lavia and Cole Palmer.
With just two-years remaining on his contract in west London, Gallagher attracted plenty of interest from Premier League clubs. football.london understands Tottenham were among several sides in the English top-flight who wanted to secure his signature, with Ange Postecoglou believed to be a big admirer.
Newcastle United and West Ham also expressed an interest in the England international. It's said that Liverpool were in the race to sign Gallagher earlier in the window, but a move to Anfield failed to materialise after Jurgen Klopp got his hands on Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai instead.
Despite an uncertain future, Gallagher quickly became a crucial part of Pochettino's squad. The Cobham graduate impressed so much so that he was rewarded with the captain's armband against AFC Wimbledon and Bournemouth.
With Lavia still to return from injury and Palmer yet to fully integrate himself into the starting lineup, Gallagher has proven to be a huge asset for the club. Speaking to the Chelsea media team, the Englishman spoke on his blossoming relationship with Pochettino.
«If you had said to me last season that there’s going to be a couple of games where you lead the team out, I still would have laughed at you then as well,» said Gallagher. «That shows the gaffer’s belief in me right now.
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