Gallagher slams Chelsea: Atletico star feels 'appreciated' after 'step up'

Tom Weber

Updated: 18 Sept 2024 20:51 BST
3 min read

Conor Gallagher, Enzo Maresca, Chelsea — © IMAGO

Conor Gallagher says that he finally feels 'very wanted and appreciated' after leaving Chelsea.

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The boyhood Blues fan was forced out of Stamford Bridge in the summer due to the club's need to raise funds to balance the books. As Gallagher would have been out of contract next summer and represented 'pure profit,' Chelsea were quick to make it known to the England international that he was no longer desired.

Coach Enzo Maresca insisted that Gallagher would not fit his tactical style and the player was eventually, after a lengthy saga involving Samu Omorodion and Joao Felix, offloaded to Atletico Madrid, with the latter heading the other way.

Gallagher's start to life in Madrid has been positive, with the midfielder recently opening his goalscoring account. Naturally, when facing the media, plenty of questions regarding his Chelsea exit have come up.

Gallagher recently disagreed with Maresca that he would not have fit the Italian's style and he has now again hit out Chelsea.

Gallagher now feels 'appreciated'

Speaking to The Athletic, the 24-year-old claimed that he finally feels 'very wanted and appreciated' and he agreed when it was stated that he has made a 'step up' by joining Atletico.

“I’ve felt very wanted and appreciated, which is important for any footballer,” Gallagher said. “Chelsea are a huge football club, one of the biggest in the world, along with Atletico. But I have taken that exciting step of playing Champions League football and challenging for trophies.

"It just builds me with even more confidence and happiness to play my best football. I’m really happy to be here and I’m settling in well. I’ve loved my first few weeks. I knew Atletico was always a massive club, a top club in La Liga and doing well in the Champions League. So I was excited to join.

“Atletico is perfect to showcase my abilities. The fans and the manager and my teammates appreciate hard work and passion on the football pitch. I can bring a lot of that.”