Chelsea star given DEADLINE to prove himself to Pochettino

Cameron Smith

• Updated: 3 Jul 2023 02:42 CDT
• 4 min read

Conor Gallagher has been given a five-game deadline to prove his worth to Mauricio Pochettino as Chelsea continue to remould their squad this summer.

The Blues have already sanctioned the sales of six players - Kai Havertz (Arsenal), Mateo Kovacic (Manchester City), Kalidou Koulibaly (Al-Hilal), Edouard Mendy (Al-Ahli), Ruben Loftus-Cheek (AC Milan) and N’Golo Kante (Al Ittihad) - while the likes of Mason Mount and Cesar Azpilicueta are on the verge of joining Manchester United and Atletico Madrid respectively. Romelu Lukaku, Hakim Ziyech and Christian Pulisic are expected to leave too.

However, Gallagher, 23, could also depart during the summer window, with the Blues reportedly open to letting the England international leave if they receive a respectable bid for his services.

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Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United have both expressed interest in Gallagher this summer, although Spurs have already purchased James Maddison and Eddie Howe’s side are set to add Sandro Tonali for €70 million.

Everton and West Ham United have previously been admirers of Gallagher too, meaning Premier League interest in the Chelsea man is high.

Gallagher must impress Pochettino

Pochettino’s reign at Chelsea officially started on 1 July, with the former Tottenham and PSG boss set to evaluate the Blues squad throughout pre-season. The Stamford Bridge outfit have already added two attackers this summer - in Christopher Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson - while Levi Colwill and Malo Gusto will return from loan spells away last term.

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Moises Caicedo remains the club’s number one transfer target, although a more attacking midfield solution is reportedly also being looked at. Celta Vigo’s Gabri Veiga is one such name on Chelsea’s radar.

But, Pochettino wants to work with Gallagher and is prepared to give the former Crystal Palace loanee a chance to prove himself during the summer. The England international is set to report to pre-season late due to his commitments with the Three Lions at the end of the season, but he will have all five friendlies to catch Pochettino’s eye. If he doesn’t impress, then he may be sold.

Gallagher will have pre-season fixtures against Wrexham, Brighton, Newcastle United, Fulham and Borussia Dortmund to convince Pochettino that he is worthy of a place in the first-team in 2023/24 and shouldn’t be sold.

The 23-year-old featured 45 times in all competitions last season and was a favourite of Frank Lampard’s, but he received criticism from some sections of the Chelsea fan base for his performances last term.