EPL

Gallagher believes 'this is the season' for Chelsea breakthrough after Tuchel backing

By Sports Desk July 14, 2022

Conor Gallagher has no plans of leaving Chelsea this transfer window, labelling the upcoming season as the season to make his breakthrough after support from Thomas Tuchel.

Gallagher is yet to make a Premier League appearance for boyhood club Chelsea, though he has impressed on his last two top-flight loan spells with West Brom and Crystal Palace.

The England international managed 11 goal involvements in the 2021-22 season with Palace, a tally bettered only by Wilfried Zaha (15) for Patrick Vieira's side in the league.

With the upcoming Qatar World Cup in November, Gallagher understands the importance of regular first-team minutes in the 2022-23 season as he looks to make his mark at Stamford Bridge.

N'Golo Kante, Mateo Kovacic, Jorginho, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Billy Gilmour and Mason Mount are among his midfield competitors at Chelsea, but Gallagher expects to be in the running for the starting XI.

"I feel like this is the season," he told reporters. "I've been a Chelsea fan my whole life, my family have, it's been a dream to play [for Chelsea] but I want to try and impress, and play as much football as I can and affect the game when I'm on the pitch.

"[Tuchel] said he wants me to be part of the squad and to prove myself in pre-season, so that's the plan. I'm happy with that and just willing to work as hard as I can to prove to him that I can play for Chelsea.

"It's what I wanted to hear, it was a nice phone call that we had and it gave me a clear plan of pre-season and where I'm going to be. It was great to hear."

Gallagher was quick to credit the influence of Vieira at Palace, expressing his gratitude for the efforts the coaching staff at Selhurst Park made to improve him.

Tuchel has added more international experience to his ranks, with England international Raheem Sterling joining Chelsea, and Gallagher hopes to improve alongside world-class players.

"Everyone wants to play as much as they can, but I'm willing to work as hard as I can to be on the pitch as much as possible," Gallagher said.

"There's world-class players in the squad and it's obviously a tough team to get into, but I feel like if that challenge is there, I think I'd be a bit silly not to take it," he added.

"With Chelsea being my club as well that I've supported, it's very exciting.

"I'm very keen [to play at the World Cup] because every English player wants to play for England and in a World Cup would be very special. And of course, it's very important that I'll be playing games and performing.

"The call-up was a very proud moment, for sure. But it didn't change the way I thought of myself or anything.

"It was nice to get that recognition and belief from the manager. It's very important to stay humble and do everything you can to perform well."

Mount was one of the first Chelsea players to welcome the arrival of Sterling on Wednesday, and Gallagher echoed his team-mate's sentiments as he reflected on the experience the forward will bring to the side.

"I think it's brilliant. It will only benefit Chelsea and himself," Gallagher said of the Sterling signing.

"Everyone's very excited for him to be playing and I know the fans are very excited as well. He's a great professional, very relaxed off the pitch, and does the right things.

"I feel like the young lads feel like they can talk to him as well because he's got a lot of experience in England and in the Premier League. So yeah, it's a massive signing, and I'm sure he's going to do his thing when he's here."

Related items

  • Bellamy earns maiden Wales win in 'toughest game of his career' Bellamy earns maiden Wales win in 'toughest game of his career'

    Craig Bellamy praised his players for overcoming some of the toughest conditions he has witnessed to earn him his first win as Wales head coach against Montenegro in the Nations League.

    Kieffer Moore opened the scoring after just 36 seconds at the Stadion Kraj Bistrice, with Wales netting inside a minute for the first time since Robert Earnshaw in 2004. 

    But the Dragons doubled their advantage with two minutes and 27 seconds on the clock, this time Harry Wilson found the back of the net with a fine finish from distance.

    It was the first time Wales had scored twice within the opening three minutes of a game since April 1961 against Northern Ireland to give Bellamy a dream start. 

    However, the conditions in Montenegro were far from ideal, with the rain-soaked pitch allowing Driton Camaj to pull one back for the hosts in the 73rd minute.

    Wales were able to see out the remaining minutes to seal their first win of their Nations League campaign, building on their impressive showing against Turkiye. 

    "These are the toughest conditions I've been in. Nothing about coming here has been easy," Bellamy said.

    "You could have had a lot of excuses about this trip. The change of venue, the travel here, a bus driver who took his time, the conditions. But sometimes you learn from it.

    "There is a reason why this group have qualified for major tournaments. It wasn't a football match. The conditions weren't going to allow it."

    Wales are now unbeaten in their last eight competitive fixtures (W4 D4), their longest such run since a run of 11 between September 2019 and November 2020.

    Bellamy's appointment has seemingly revitalised Welsh football, with his expansive and exciting style of play catching the eyes of those across Europe. 

    The Dragons return to action next month when they face Iceland and Montenegro once again, something that Bellamy is already counting down the days for. 

    "Last night I was really excited about the game but also sad as it ends tomorrow," Bellamy said.

    "What happens on Tuesday? They're all going to leave me and I don't want them to go.

    "You want your first win of course and you want it quick. Longer-term I see us being able to affect games in a positive way."

  • France 2-0 Belgium: Dembele leads Les Bleus back to winning ways France 2-0 Belgium: Dembele leads Les Bleus back to winning ways

    Ousmane Dembele starred for France as Didier Deschamps' side overcame their opening day defeat to Italy with a 2-0 triumph over Belgium in the Nations League.

    Randal Kolo Muani handed the hosts the advantage in the first half, with a moment of individual brilliance from Dembele rounding off a dominant display in Lyon. 

    France's much-changed side struggled in the opening exchanges, as Dodi Lukebakio and Kevin De Bruyne fired the early warning signs to the hosts. 

    But Les Bleus' slow start improved and they took the lead in the 29th minute after Dembele's scuffed effort was parried into the path of Kolo Muani to smash home, despite the best efforts of Wout Faes on the line. 

    From then on, Domenico Tedesco's side failed to lay a glove on their opponents, with Belgium ending the first half with two shots compared to France's 12. 

    The triumph was sealed by a moment of magic, with N'Golo Kante laying the ball to Dembele, who drove at the Red Devils defence before rifling a fierce left-footed effort beyond the grasp of Koen Casteels. 

    There was also a moment of history made in the 79th minute, with Matteo Guendouzi leaving the field to be replaced by Antoine Griezmann to claim his 137th French cap, going joint-third on their all-time list alongside Olivier Giroud.

    Data Debrief: PSG(oals)

    Each of France's last five goals, excluding own goals, have now been scored by players under contract at Paris Saint-Germain, the longest such run by the Les Bleus since between June and August 2003.

    Dembele was a particular standout for the hosts, producing the most shots (four), shots on target (two) and touches in the opposition box (nine), with his 19 passes into the final third a total only bettered by Manu Kone (22).  

  • Israel 0-2 Italy: Frattesi and Kean keep Azzurri perfect Israel 0-2 Italy: Frattesi and Kean keep Azzurri perfect

    Davide Frattesi continued his hot streak under Luciano Spalletti as his first-half strike helped Italy on their way to a 2-1 win over Israel in the Nations League. 

    Moise Kean netted his fifth international goal to double the Azzurri's advantage after the break, with substitute Mohamed Abu Fani scoring a late consolation for the hosts.

    Despite a bright start from Israel, the visitors regained control of the contest as Alessandro Bastoni and Federico Dimarco threatened in the wide positions. 

    But a familiar face found himself on the scoresheet once again, with Frattesi netting his sixth goal under Spalletti's stewardship with a delicate chested finish from Dimarco's delivery. 

    Italy's dominance continued in the second half and was rewarded in the 62nd minute when Giacomo Raspadori's effort was saved by Yoav Gerafi, only for Kean to smash home the rebound. 

    Israel, however, threatened a nervy conclusion to proceedings as Italy's failure to clear a corner was punished by Abu Fani with a fine finish from the edge of the area, but the Azzurri were able to hold on for the victory. 

    Data Debrief: Young Italians take centre stage

    Italy fielded five starting players born since 2000 for the first time in their history in Samuele Ricci, Raspadori, Sandro Tonali, Kean and Raoul Bellanova. 

    Kean registered an expected goals (xG) total of 0.56 to Italy's 1.56 total, recording the most shots (three) and touches in the opposition box (seven) for the Azzurri.

© 2024 SportsMaxTV All Rights Reserved.