Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino has raved about Conor Gallagher after his two-goal display against Crystal Palace on Monday night.
The Blues were on the road on Monday night as they faced Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park, looking to build on a strong display against Aston Villa in the FA Cup.
For 45 minutes, this was dire stuff from Chelsea as they were slow and ponderous before Jefferson Lerma fired Palace into the lead with a superb strike.
Chelsea were much better after the break with Conor Gallagher quickly finding a leveller and then putting Chelsea in front in injury time.
Enzo Fernandez added another, sealing a 3-1 Chelsea win as a strong second-half display saved the game.
Mauricio Pochettino hails Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher
Gallagher was the man who turned the game, much to the chagrin of Palace fans.
The England international spent the 2021-22 season on loan at Palace and became a fan favourite with eight goals from midfield.
Gallagher scored at Selhurst Park last season and has done it again this term, once again haunting the Eagles with his goalscoring ability.
Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino has now paid tribute to Gallagher, telling the club’s official website that the midfielder is ‘priceless’ with his ability to both attack and defend.
Pochettino thinks that Gallagher has been ‘fantastic’ all season and praised his desire to run for the team before popping up with goals in the final third.
“[Conor] is a player with a great commitment to the team and he tries to compensate in an offensive and defensive position, and that is priceless. I’m so happy for him and the team because it’s an important three points,” said Pochettino. “Conor was always the player that arrived before the second line with the possibility to score. Conor is a player who loves to run and use the freedom to play when we have the ball.”
“He is very consistent in dropping back and helping the team in a defensive situation as well. I think he is a player who has been doing a fantastic job since the beginning of the season,” he added.
Tottenham still lurking for Gallagher
Gallagher will love the praise from Pochettino but what he would love even more is a new contract.
A lifelong Blue, Gallagher is out of contract in 2025 and may soon be able to walk away from the club for nothing unless Chelsea sort out a new deal.
Other clubs will be looking at Gallagher’s contract situation with intent, no doubt hoping to land a homegrown midfielder with goalscoring talent.
Pochettino’s former club Tottenham Hotspur are one of them as HITC Football understands that Spurs are still interested in Gallagher after chasing him for months.
Monday’s brace summed up exactly why Tottenham want Gallagher and Pochettino will be desperate to keep him out of Ange Postecoglou’s clutches.
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