Mauricio Pochettino’s exit from Chelsea could have ramifications for a few players in the Blues’ squad.
The Argentine had a few favourites during his time at the club, including Conor Gallagher.
In fact, out of all of the players at Chelsea, Pochettino‘s departure is likely to impact the midfielder the most.
If Chelsea fans were not fearing for his future, they will be now.
Conor Gallagher a Mauricio Pochettino favourite
Last summer, it really looked like Gallagher’s Chelsea career was over.
Chelsea bought Enzo Fernandez in January 2023 before adding Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia to their squad the following transfer window.
Fernandez and Caicedo are the club’s two most expensive signings ever so were always going to be automatic starters this season.
However, injuries to Lavia, Christopher Nkunku and eventually Fernandez saw Gallagher get plenty of game time as both an attacking midfielder and a central midfielder.
In total, he made 50 appearances under Pochettino and while the above did help his cause, to play that number of games shows that he was someone who the 52-year-old truly trusted.
Mauricio Pochettino’s departure pushes Conor Gallagher closer to the exit door
Gallagher is approaching the final year of his contract and Chelsea may need to sell players this summer because of profit and sustainability rules.
The England international was already a candidate to go before Pochettino’s exit. With the former Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham Hotspur boss no longer at Stamford Bridge, that is one less person to try and persuade the club to keep hold of him.
At this point, it would now be a surprise if Gallagher ended up staying at Chelsea. It would be good if he did; he has shown what he can bring to the team this season.
The 24-year-old has scored a few goals and done a lot of dirty work on the pitch.
He finished in the top 15 players for tackles in the Premier League after recording 85.
Following Pochettino’s departure, though, it may not be enough to convince the club to keep hold of him.