Conor Gallagher is one of Chelsea’s key players and a real leader within the squad.
That is according to Liverpool’s assistant coach Pep Lijnders.
Chelsea and Liverpool meet again this Sunday afternoon in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley Stadium.
This has been a very close rivalry in the last few seasons, but the Reds secured a handsome 4-1 win over the Blues back in January.
So, what kind of version of Chelsea will we see turn up this weekend?
Pep Lijnders, who’s Jurgen Klopp’s assistant at Liverpool, has been on media duty today before Sunday’s League Cup final.
He’s paid tribute to a few Chelsea stars in his press conference, including Conor Gallagher Enzo Fernandez and Cole Palmer.
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“A good final only starts by respecting their strengths and where to start? Enzo Fernandez is the one where it all starts. He is the one who can play passes everywhere,” Lijnders said, as quoted by BBC Sport (10:27am, 23 February).
“I think he [Mauricio Pochettino] has finally found his starting XI and Cole Palmer has been one of the finds of the season, taking them from a rival. Then they have Conor Gallagher is a proper leader with the armband, from the academy. He is a number 10 but gets his shirt dirty as well. If you let them play between the lines, Palmer and Gallagher there with their technique, it will be really hard.”
Conor Gallagher praise
It’s nice to hear some kind words about Gallagher from the opposition’s camp during the build up to the weekend’s final showdown.
For certain, Gallagher’s currently one of his team’s best and most consistent performers.
The 24-year-old’s been thriving lately in the No 10 position, working extremely well as the most advanced of a midfield trio.
We agree that the England star does lead with the way that he gives 100 per cent and covers every blade of grass.
CaughtOffside reported this week that Chelsea’s owners are considering offering Gallagher a new contract. It’s an absolute no-brainer for the club to get the midfielder’s long-term future sorted!
