Conor Gallagher has expressed his disappointment over Mauricio Pochettino’s departure as Chelsea manager but emphasized that he remains focused despite ongoing rumors about his future.
Pochettino left Chelsea by mutual agreement last month following a challenging season without silverware. Despite calls for his dismissal, he managed to lead the team to a sixth-place finish in the Premier League by winning their last five matches.
Gallagher, who made 50 appearances across all competitions under Pochettino, the most of any player, shared his thoughts on the Argentine’s exit and Enzo Maresca’s appointment as the new manager while speaking at England’s Euro 2024 base on Thursday.
“He did so much for me, so I was sad for him and his coaching staff,” Gallagher said. “But I’m also excited about the new manager coming in. Everyone at Chelsea is eager to work with him.”
Reflecting on his time under Pochettino, Gallagher added, “I’ve really enjoyed playing consistently this season. I just wanted to work hard to help Chelsea and England. A lot of credit goes to Pochettino for giving me the chance to show what I can do. Hopefully, there’s still room for improvement.”
“He showed belief and trust in me, which is all a player wants. When a manager shows you love, it boosts your confidence. That’s what he gave me, and I built on that.”
Gallagher, with a year left on his Chelsea contract, is reportedly being monitored by Tottenham and Aston Villa. While he might sign a new deal to stay at Stamford Bridge, he remains noncommittal about his future. When asked if he saw himself staying at Chelsea next season, the 24-year-old replied, “I’m a Chelsea player right now, and I am just focused on England and the tournament.”
Gallagher is competing with Trent Alexander-Arnold for a starting spot in England’s Group C opener against Serbia in Gelsenkirchen on Sunday, alongside Declan Rice in Gareth Southgate’s 4-2-3-1 formation.
“Trent is a top player, and everyone in the squad has their own strengths to improve and strengthen the team,” said Gallagher, who was part of England’s squad for the 2022 World Cup but did not play. “I will always be ready to start games if needed or come on from the bench. In Qatar, I didn’t expect to play, but I loved the experience and was honored to be there. Now, a couple of years later, I’ve developed as a player, and I hope to help the team more on the pitch in this tournament. I’m really looking forward to it.”
