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Big decision for Everton as Conor Gallagher opens up on future plans
Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher has made it clear that he wants to play for the Blues this season, amid reported interest from Everton and Crystal Palace.
The Telegraph reported on 7 June that Galagher is one player who is high on the list of Everton boss Frank Lampard who is ready to wait late in the transfer window to make a move for him.
The 22-year-old joined Palace last season on loan from Chelsea where he was simply outstanding. He scored eight goals and provided three assists for the club, and he feels he’s now ready to play for the Chelsea senior side.
After the 2021-22 season ended, Gallagher, a boyhood Chelsea fan, called Thomas Tuchel and clarified his future plans.
“I’m ready to play for Chelsea,” the 22-year-old told Tuchel, as quoted by The Times (15 July). “You know that’s what I want to do.”
The Times reports that Gallagher is expected to be a key figure for the team next season, and it means Everton have a big decision to make.
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Bolstering the midfield is key for Lampard, and Gallagher would have been a tremendous signing for the club.
The Chelsea academy product showed remarkable ability on loan at Crystal Palace and it earned him an England cap. The box-to-box midfielder has got bundles of energy and he was a constant attacking threat.
Lampard, given his status at the London club, could feel that he can persuade Gallagher to spend one more season away from Chelsea on loan, and help his side during the rebuilding phase.
However, it seems the player is fixated on playing for the Chelsea senior team this season. Now that he has made it absolutely clear what he wants next, there’s hardly any point waiting for him to change his mind.