Mauricio Pochettino says any decision on Conor Gallagher’s Chelsea future will be taken by those above him, as the midfielder continues to be linked with a move to Tottenham.
Gallagher is set to enter the final 18 months of his contract with the Blues in January, and with an agreement on a new deal yet to be reached, he has been linked with a transfer.
Spurs were credited with an interest in Gallagher in pre-season and are reportedly still keen on a move for a player who has started 16 of Chelsea’s 17 league games under Pochettino, the only exception being when he was suspended for a 2-1 defeat to Manchester United earlier this month.
Gallagher has even worn the captain’s armband on several occasions with regular skipper Reece James and vice-captain Ben Chilwell both enduring injury-hit campaigns.
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While Pochettino has been pleased with Gallagher’s performances, he says a final decision on whether he stays at Stamford Bridge will be made by others.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of Sunday’s trip to Wolves, Pochettino said: “This type of situation is between the club and the player. It’s going to be the decision of the club.
“What I’m doing is coaching the team, to try to make the best choices to perform. So far, he’s doing well and he’s playing because he deserves to.
“In my experience at different clubs, it’s my job to try to give the best opinion and advice to the club. I’m a manager that loves to work with the sporting director and the owners.
“We have to talk, analyse things and take the best decision for the club. It’s always the clubs and the players that need to decide what they want to do.”
Enzo is being assessed ahead of our trip to Molineux on Christmas Eve.
Romeo Lavia and Lesley Ugochukwu have returned to full team training! ????
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) December 22, 2023
Pochettino was also asked about the condition of James after the right-back underwent surgery to rectify the latest in a series of hamstring injuries to affect him in recent years.
Asked about reports suggesting James could be sidelined until March, Pochettino said: “We hope for less. It’s my wish for New Year’s! It will be several weeks, for sure.
“We cannot put the date because it’s about the way his body will react. I think he feels well. He has started his recovery and he’s one day closer to being with the group.
“We’re all positive around him, we’re going to help him evolve in the best way.
“It’s a very complicated, difficult season for him. But the process to recover him has started and we’ll take it in a positive way. The most important thing is to solve the problem, to help him be strong.”