Ian Wright has stated that Chelsea loanee and rumoured Newcastle target Conor Gallagher is ‘streets ahead’ of everyone at England U21’s, as he told ITV Sport.
The former striker suggested that he is too good for that level and deserved his call up to the England senior side this week.
On Monday, the thriving Crystal Palace star, who is on-loan from Chelsea, helped England thrash San Marino 10-0 to book their place for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Gallagher’s performances this season have resulted in a number of clubs knocking on his door and looking to sign him up, including the now big pockets of Newcastle, as reported by the Daily Mail.
Well, in what was his England debut on Monday, Wright praised the all-action midfielder for doing ‘everything right’.
“Well, what I have seen with Conor Gallagher is that I have watched him play in the U21’s and he looks streets ahead of that,” said Wright.
“It was good to see him playing in this game. Obviously, this is a big test for him. But what you saw him do is everything right. He didn’t come on and take the mickey or anything. He did everything right and that’s the kind of player he is.
“You want to see players of that calibre getting towards the full international squad, instead of playing them in the U21s.
“I would say the same with Calum Hudson-Odoi. He has broken into the Chelsea side, as tough as it is. He’s had a career-threatening injury. That doesn’t get you into the first team. Playing well at your club gets you there. Like Conor is.”
After suffering relegation whilst on-loan at West Brom last season, Gallagher hasn’t allowed that to affect him and he has still managed to take his game to the next level.
It isn’t a surprise that teams across England are now looking at the 21-year-old because he might find himself struggling to get into Chelsea’s set-up next season, despite his strong performances out on loan.
Chelsea have proven that they are willing to sell their academy players, if the price is right, and Newcastle might just want to front that queue in the summer.
Of course, if he is up for sale, then someone like Crystal Palace might just lead the way because they currently have him on their books now, but all of this benefits Chelsea because a bidding war might just commence.
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