Thomas Tuchel says any decision is yet to be made over Conor Gallagher’s future at Chelsea.
Gallagher left Stamford Bridge to join Crystal Palace on loan last summer window and has enjoyed an impressive campaign in south east London.
The 21-year-old has scored seven goals and provided five assists this season with reports this week suggesting Tuchel is keen to add him into the club’s first-team next season – even if it impacts their efforts to sign Declan Rice.
With Kovavic, Jorginho, Saul Niguez, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and N’Golo Kante competing for midfield roles, Gallagher has benefited from his loan spell at Palace where he has been an important player under Patrick Vieira.
And while Tuchel is a huge admirer, he concedes talks will need to take place between the player and club before any decision on his future is finally made.
‘We wanted to have him here, like I said many times. In the pre-season, I saw he could have a chance to have an impact in our squad,’ Tuchel said ahead of Chelsea’s game against Palace on Saturday which Gallagher will play no part in.
‘He did a fantastic pre-season and he’s a fantastic guy and he cares so much about Chelsea because he’s from the academy.
‘It was very nice to have him around and he was impressive in pre-season, and then the opportunity came and they (Crystal Palace) offered him a role which he took and you see what it does to a player if they are needed, if they are playing an important role.
‘He was not just offered that role, he took it and he took it with quality, with the energy he has, and now he took several steps in his development which is quite impressive.
‘We are happy that he is our player, we are happy it is like this. Would it be the same if he had stayed?
‘Nobody knows, but it was a good decision because he clearly developed and we will take this decision late because there’s no need to take it today.
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‘The season is by far not over and he needs to finish the season with Crystal Palace in the best possible way and we will see what he wants, what we want, and then we will have a talk and decide. But I’m happy that he’s our player.’
