Pochettino keen to retain in-demand Chelsea midfield star

Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino hopes midfielder Conor Gallagher stays amidst Tottenham interest

Speaking to the media ahead of the Nottingham Forest game, Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino is hoping that Conor Gallagher despite interest from Tottenham Hotspur late in the transfer window.

Gallagher is a subject of interest for Spurs should Fulham sign Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg in the final hours of this window. Fulham may now not be under pressure to buy Hojbjerg because Bayern Munich’s attempt to sign their midfielder Joao Palhinha has fallen through. There are a lot of domino pieces that need to fall in place.

Gallagher has been one of the key players for Chelsea early in the season. He captained the team against Wimbledon in the Carabao Cup second round tie.

Here’s what Pochettino said when asked about the future of the 23-year-old (h/t Evening Standard):

“There will be a decision on two parts between the club and the player. Always from the outside, Conor was a reliable and consistent player who could perform in different positions.

“We are so happy with him and I think it is circumstances and different things that happened in the past. We can’t say anything [about that to reporters]. All we can do is express our feelings since we’ve been working from day one about him showing great commitment to the club.

“We are happy with him. He was captain two days ago against Wimbledon. I think he is an important player for us but what is going to happen in the future, I cannot tell you.”

These quotes are enough to convince us that the Chelsea manager wants to keep hold of Gallagher beyond the transfer window deadline. The midfielder’s versatility could be one of the main reasons behind this thought.

The England international can play as an attacking number eight, as a box-to-box midfielder and a number 10. With Carney Chukwuemeka and Christopher Nkunku currently out, the latter position is available for him to take.

The way the 23-year-old has started the season, it feels like he wants to prove a point after an underwhelming past year following an exceptional loan spell at Crystal Palace.

This sort of attitude is always welcomed by managers. For that reason, it is understandable why Pochettino would want Gallagher to stay. Moreover, selling him to a direct rival in London does not make sense either.

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Whatever we think of the midfielder, he would make Tottenham better by going there. Let’s hope the club adheres to what Pochettino wants and does not sanction a sale for the 23-year-old.