“Chelsea will be the Premier League top four this season because of him…He teaches Pochettino what to do sometimes”: Alan Shearer really impressed with ONE talented Chelsea player who has coaching experience more than Pochettino.

“Due to him, Chelsea will finish in the Premier League’s top four this year.Sometimes, he gives Pochettino advice. With just ONE gifted Chelsea player—who has more coaching experience than Pochettino—Alan Shearer truly made an impression.

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The future of Chelsea star Conor Gallagher at Stamford Bridge is unclear. (Photo by Vince Mignott/MB Media/Getty Images)
Conor Gallagher, a star for Chelsea, may not have a long future at Stamford Bridge. (Image via Getty Images/MB Media/Vince Mignott)
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It’s possible that Alan Shearer gave Chelsea the most explicit indication yet about how to handle Conor Gallagher.

This season, the midfielder has been a constant in Mauricio Pochettino’s squad, leading the Blues when Reece James and Ben Chilwell were sidelined. This season, the 24-year-old has made 32 appearances for Chelsea and has scored nine goals.

The England international’s future at Stamford Bridge is unclear, though. With less than 18 months left on his Cobham contract, the graduate was heavily linked to leaving west London in January.

Although Chelsea and Gallagher have held pre-contract negotiations, as far as football.london is aware, no firm offer to extend his stay has been made. Pochettino has made it clear that he wants Gallagher to stay at Chelsea, but there is potential to sell the Cobham graduate given the pressure that the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR) are placing on clubs these days.

Gallagher is significant because of Chelsea values, Pochettino stated in December. “He is an academy-produced product. He is obviously very dedicated to the club and loves it.

On the field, he can be seen running, playing, and fighting. He makes every effort to succeed. Indeed, I believe he is a very significant player who consistently fits the team’s and the coaching staff’s mold.

Then, in response to a question about his name coming up in transfer rumors, Pochettino replied, “Yes, in the past. That is a matter between the player and the club. I don’t think I need to say too much because it’s obvious that it wasn’t my choice.

Gallagher has received praise for his play this season, most recently from Alan Shearer, a legend of Newcastle United. Gallagher was selected by the Premier League’s all-time top goalscorer for his Team of the Week after he helped his team defeat Crystal Palace 3-1 on Monday night by scoring twice.

Shearer wrote in his Premier League column, “He had to be in my team as his two second-half goals gave Chelsea an important win.” Shearer’s Team of the Week included Arsenal players Ben White, William Saliba, Declan Rice, and Bukayo Saka after the Gunners thrashed West Ham 6-0. Erling Haaland was also selected after he assisted Man City in a 2-0 victory over Everton.

Shearer has previously given Gallagher high marks. Shearer told Match of the Day in August 2021, after the midfielder, then on loan at Crystal Palace, scored two goals against West Ham: “He said he wants to be an all-round midfielder – and he showed that today he’s got it in his locker.”

“This is what it was, whether it was winning balls for his team in the midfield or playing balls in behind, and we need to see more of it. He is putting Palace ahead of the game. Or if it was falling into the box at precisely the right moment. Excellent timing and a very creative conclusion.

“Pay attention to this [second goal]. Using the right foot, touch, then flick with the left, and finally finish again. That is unquestionably a contender for Goal of the Month. The touch and his ability to finish it the way he did make for a fantastic goal.

Palace then had a chance to win. Gallagher put in a fantastic ball, and [Marc] Guehi ought to have put that in the net. They anticipate seeing more of that from him this season; it’s very good.

Shearer is obviously a fan of Gallagher, but it’s unclear if Chelsea will let the midfield player go this summer. If Shearer’s praise is any indication, whoever Gallagher plays for in the 2024–25 campaign is going to have one heck of a player on their hands.