Mauricio Pochettino has urged Chelsea to clarify Conor Gallagher’s future after fans appealed for him to stay.
The midfielder was welcomed onto the pitch by a banner organised by fans. It unfurled to show Gallagher in action for Blues alongside the caption: "Chelsea since birth."
The banner appears to be a direct response to doubts over the 24-year-old’s long-term future at Stamford Bridge. There have been suggestions he could be sold this summer to alleviate any Profitability and Sustainability concerns - any sale representing a pure profit on the balance sheet due to the fact he is an academy graduate.
Gallagher also has just over a year remaining on his contract in West London. Pochettino has now attempted to intervene. The Argentine has demanded a decision on the situation sooner rather than later.
Speaking after the 2-0 win over Tottenham on Thursday, the Chelsea boss said: “I am not involved, I know nothing, I cannot tell you. I think you can see in my starting XI I think, the whole season, was strong with him.
“He’s an important player of course. But I’m not involved in the decision, it’s the club and Conor. I’m not involved, that’s a situation that they need to fix between the club and the player.”
Gallagher played his part in Thursday’s win over Spurs - a victory that actually leaves Chelsea in the race for European football. His free-kick was nodded home by fellow academy graduate Trevoh Chalobah.
Pochettino was full of praise for both for their displays. “They were fantastic of course, and we always talk about the identity of the club,” he added.
“With players that grow and come through the academy system, they have the capacity in this type of game to give a little bit more because it’s emotional. But that doesn’t mean that players that didn’t go through the academy system don’t feel the same.
“You can still build this same bond with your team. The whole team was fantastic, but of course Trevoh and Conor were fantastic within that.”
Gallagher now has six goals and nine assists across what has been a very productive campaign for the Blues. He only contributed to four goals in the entirety of last season.
Gallagher will be aiming to extend his positive form this weekend in another Stamford Bridge London derby. Pochettino’s side take on West Ham at home on Sunday.