Chelsea head coach Mauricio Pochettino is hopeful that Conor Gallagher will remain at Stamford Bridge as clubs register their interest in him on transfer deadline day, according to quotes in a recent press conference [via Football London].

Gallagher is believed to be the subject of £40 million interest at Tottenham Hotspur – reportedly, they will try and complete a transfer deal for the player today.

However, Pochettino says that he is ‘so happy’ with Gallagher and added that ‘we hope he stays’. As such, it seems clear that the Blues will do whatever they can to hold onto the former Crystal Palace loanee – it will take a considerable bid for them to consider changing their stance.

What did Mauricio Pochettino have to say regarding Conor Gallagher?

In a recent press conference, Pochettino said: “All players in the squad are in our plans. After is a decision of two parts of club and player. Conor is a consistent player than can play in different positions.

“Circumstances happen in the past we can say nothing, we can only say our feeling from day one and he has shown great commitment to the club, he was captain two days ago, he is an important player but the future I don’t know.

“If you are the best you are going to play, even if we spend big money on a player, that is football. All players in the squad know they are going to play if the deserve to play. That is the thing that is happening with the squad. We are so happy with him, we hope he stays.”

Should Chelsea sell Conor Gallagher?

Following an excellent spell on loan at Crystal Palace, Gallagher has so far failed to live up to the expectations that have been placed upon him.

He has shown positives, including a seemingly limitless engine and a range of passing, but he is not quite up to the standard that Chelsea would like him to be at as of yet.

Nevertheless, at just 23 years of age, he is still young. Chelsea have been criticised in the past for giving priority to big money signings over their academy graduates – will they learn from this?