Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino praised Conor Gallagher as an invaluable player whose two goals spurred the Blues to victory against Crystal Palace.
Gallagher equalized Jefferson Lerma’s opener and struck again in the 91st minute, with Enzo Fernandez adding a late third, securing a 3-1 triumph.
The 24-year-old, linked with potential moves away from Chelsea, earned acclaim from Pochettino for his unwavering commitment and versatility.
“I think he is a player with a great commitment to the team. He is always trying to compensate in every situation, in offensive and defensive situations. It’s priceless to have a player like him,” stated the Chelsea boss.
While Gallagher’s value is estimated at £50m, his contract with Chelsea extends until the end of next season. Although Tottenham is rumored as a possible destination, Pochettino asserts Gallagher’s commitment to Chelsea, where he has been since the age of eight.
“He has always told me it is to stay in Chelsea,” Pochettino affirmed. “He still has one year more on his contract. It’s a matter with him and the club.”
Gallagher’s first Premier League goals of the season against his former loan club highlighted his significance under Pochettino, with 23 league appearances, including captaincy during Reece James’s absence.
Former Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech emphasized Gallagher’s work ethic and leadership qualities, stating, “He’s always been working hard. He’s one of the players that’s always cared about winning and about the club. You find that even young players can have special abilities to be a leader. Conor is one of those players – he’s always worked hard, he’s always cared and he always tries his best.”
Following their 3-1 FA Cup victory against Aston Villa, Chelsea secured their second consecutive win. Gallagher, also on target in that match, underscores the importance of consistency ahead of challenging fixtures against Liverpool and Arsenal.
“It’s about consistency for us,” Gallagher emphasized. “We’ve had some games where we’ve been good and some where we’ve been terrible. We’ve got some massive games coming up and we’ll keep trying to improve.”
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