Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino has revealed holding talks with home-grown midfielder Conor Gallagher about his future at Stamford Bridge amid a potential exit.
90min reported last week that Chelsea are prepared to listen to offers for Gallagher due to a club policy regarding players in the final 18 months of their contract, a similar situation to the one that saw the Blues sell Mason Mount to Manchester United during the summer.
Gallagher has started 19 of Chelsea’s 20 Premier League games so far this season and has also regularly captained the side in the various absences of Reece James. Pochettino is a fan and wants to keep the 23-year-old, but talks to extend his contract beyond 2025 have not progressed.
“I think he’s doing a fantastic job, he’s working well, he’s helping the club and [the coaching staff] and his teammates a lot,” Pochettino said this week when asked about Gallagher’s situation.
“We are happy with his performances. He has an advantage because he knows the club. He knows the demands of the Premier League. We are so happy with him.
Pochettino would rather see Gallagher stay / Clive Rose/GettyImages
“If you want to ask me if I was talking with Conor about this situation…yes. Like all the players, when rumours happen, it’s always good to have a good conversation, like Ian Maatsen…Andrey Santos.
“I think always it’s important for us, the coaches, to have very clear and very direct, honest conversations with the players. It’s healthy to have these types of relationships. We were talking all different subjects, and if we have something to communicate, then we will.”
Chelsea do not want to risk losing Gallagher, capped 11 times by England since 2021, in a cut-price deal or even a free transfer if his contract is running down. The Blues are open to selling for a total package worth between £55m and £60m, with a guaranteed £45m. That valuation has so far proven prohibitive, with Tottenham Hotspur put off during summer after learning £35m would be way short.
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