Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino believes Conor Gallagher wants to stay at the club, despite continued uncertainty over the England international’s future.
Gallagher put in a winning display against Crystal Palace, with the former Eagles loanee scoring twice at Selhurst Park.
The 24-year-old’s second goal in stoppage time gave the Blues a 2-1 lead, and Enzo Fernandez added the third in the dying seconds.
Pochettino insisted after the victory that Gallagher wants to remain at the club.
The Chelsea manager, however, admitted that Gallagher’s future is something the midfielder and the club must resolve due to his contract expiring in the summer of 2025.
Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino believes Conor Gallagher wants to stay at the club
Pochettino hailed the midfielder’s overall contribution to Chelsea as ‘invaluable’
“What he told me was to stay at Chelsea,” Pochettino said.
“But then it’s about him and the club. I’m not suffering with this kind of thing, he still has one more year left on his contract.
“I think it’s a matter for him and the club.”
Gallagher had been linked with a move across London to rivals Tottenham in both the summer transfer window and in January.
Chelsea were reportedly open to a sale due to profit and sustainability rules.
A sale would have given Chelsea greater room for maneuver in the transfer market thanks to the sale of a local player who represented pure profit.
Gallagher was believed to be in no rush to leave his boyhood club, and the England international will be in an even stronger position come summer when his contract expires.
The 24-year-old has made 32 appearances in all competitions this season and has started 23 of the Blues’ 24 Premier League games, with his only absence due to suspension.
Gallagher scored his first Premier League goals of the season to help Chelsea beat Crystal Palace.
Gallagher, who has scored three goals in his last two games, has regularly captained Chelsea this season.
Pochettino hailed the midfielder as “invaluable” after the win over Crystal Palace, highlighting his contribution in both attack and defence.
“He is a player with a great commitment to the team,” Pochettino said.
“Always trying to compensate for each situation in an offensive and defensive situation and that is priceless to have a player like him.
“I am very happy for him and very happy for the team because it is a victory that we needed, the three points to confirm the reaction after Wolverhampton.
“It was a very good game against Aston Villa and it was a great opportunity.”