Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel wants Conor Gallagher to be part of his first-team plans next season, according to the Evening Standard.
The 22-year-old is believed to have “hugely impressed” Tuchel during his loan spell at Crystal Palace this season, where he has scored seven goals and provided five assists in 24 appearances.
Gallagher’s return to Stamford Bridge could, however, have implications for the club’s summer recruitment strategy. Both West Ham’s Declan Rice and Monaco’s Aurelien Tchouameni are believed to be among the Blues’ main targets but Tuchel’s decision to keep Gallagher may lead him to reconsider whether he needs to strengthen his midfield options.
The fact that Tuchel plays with a midfield two, instead of a three, means that if Chelsea do sign either Rice or Tchouameni, they may be no room for Gallagher to get the game time he needs. As we have seen with Saul Niguez, even an experienced Spanish international has struggled to get minutes and Tuchel won’t want to stunt the development of an exciting young talent.
