Conor Gallagher denies claims of Chelsea technical failings | Chelsea

Conor Gallagher has hit back at suggestions that Chelsea sold him to Atletico Madrid because they felt the midfielder wasn’t technically good enough to play for Enzo Maresca. Although Gallagher was a key player for Mauricio Pochettino last season, his impressive form wasn’t enough to deter his boyhood club from making offers for him this summer.

Chelsea were unable to agree a contract extension with the England international, whose deal was due to expire next year, and they ruled him out of the first-team squad. There was no shortage of interest in Gallagher, who has been targeted by Aston Villa and Tottenham, and he completed a £34m move to Atlético last month.

Although their manager Diego Simeone, regarded as one of the best in the world, was happy with the arrival of Gallagher, Chelsea are said to have concluded that Gallagher was not suited to the possession-based team of Maresca, who replaced Pochettino as head coach in June.

“I don’t think that’s true,” Gallagher said. “Last season I had a good season at Chelsea and you could see that Pochettino made me play every game and showed his confidence in me. The fans appreciated what I did on the pitch. I’m very grateful for that and very grateful to the fans, and very grateful to Pochettino for giving me that platform to express myself and be the best version of myself at Chelsea.”

A move was inevitable after Gallagher turned down Chelsea’s two-year deal with the option of an extra year. The club have given a number of their players eight-year contracts. The apparent discrepancy was pointed out to Gallagher.

“Chelsea make their own decisions and they’ve brought in some top players on long contracts,” he said. “That wasn’t the situation for me, but what happened is good for everyone.”

Gallagher, who is determined to learn Spanish, joined Chelsea when he was six and did not want to get into a war of words with his old team. “At Chelsea I only have good things to say,” he said.

“I am so grateful and thankful for everything they have done for me in the academy and the first team. As for the fans, especially last season they were very warm to me, which made me feel confident and good.”

The chance to play for Simeone influenced Gallagher, who opened up during his first conversation with the Argentine. “He was very welcoming and it was basically ‘Ready to get started?'” he said.

“That’s who he is, that’s his character; he just wants everyone to work as hard as possible, prepare for every game and win – and that’s perfect for me.”

Gallagher hopes to play when England open their Nations League campaign against the Republic of Ireland on Saturday. He said it was strange not having Gareth Southgate but is pleased with the appointment of Lee Carsley as interim head coach. “I know him very well from the under-21s,” Gallagher said. “He was very good. Very fair and very demanding. But also very relaxed.

“He makes the players feel comfortable when they talk to him, which is a great way to do that. I’m really excited to work with Cars. He’s a top manager.”

Gallagher is desperate to challenge for a place in England’s midfield after failing to impress in the Euro 2024 finals. He didn’t start after being substituted at half-time during the 0-0 draw with Slovenia in the group stage and reflected on the defeat to Spain in the final.

“They were just flexible and knew what they were doing, while we were less good at that.

“But anyway, on another day we could have won the match. We take a lot with us from the tournament and into our next challenge.”