Conor Gallagher Could Replace Mateo Kovacic at Chelsea Next Season

DBasia.news – Joe Cole believes Conor Gallagher has a special talent and believes the young midfielder will have a bright future at Chelsea.

Conor Gallagher, 21, was again sent off on loan at the start of the summer after spending last season with West Brom. He has now joined Crystal Palace on a season-long contract.

The midfielder has received rave reviews for his performances under Patrick Vieira, where he scored four goals and provided two assists in the Premier League.

His form earned him his first call-up to the England senior team during the November international break. Gallagher made his England debut against San Marino earlier this week.

It is believed that a number of Europe’s top clubs will want to try their luck to hijack him from Chelsea at the end of the season, but Joe Cole believes his former club will not let the academy graduate leave.

The former England winger feels Gallagher will be able to push Mateo Kovacic to a place in Thomas Tuchel’s starting XI next season.

“He can play box-to-box, No. 8, he can play with his back to goal, he can play as No. 10,” Cole told JOE.

“He is better as a No.8/box-to-box and he could even play at Chelsea where Kovacic plays, but he will score more goals than Kovacic.”

“The Blues won’t sell him, they’re not ridiculous. He and Billy Gilmour are still on loan at Norwich. Gallagher may have surpassed Billy for what he has done. He’s on loan and doing really well, he’s very talented.”