“I enjoy playing alongside him” - Chelsea star makes admission about Conor Gallagher as he closes in on Atletico Madrid transfer

Moises Caicedo has refused to comment on the future of his Chelsea teammate Conor Gallagher. The England international has been linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge this summer, with only a year left on his current deal.

It is believed that Spanish side Atletico Madrid are nearing the completion of an agreement for the services of the midfielder. Sky Sports claims the La Liga giants will pay the Blues £34 million to get this deal over the line.

Caicedo and Gallagher have shared the pitch 47 times for Chelsea without any joint goal contributions. When asked if the Englishman would be leaving the team, Caicedo said (via @NizaarKinsella):

"I just can say Conor is a top player. I enjoy playing alongside him. He's an amazing player. That's it."

Chelsea fans may be perplexed by the management's decision to offload the Englishman after he played a key role for the team last season. In the 2023-24 campaign, Gallagher made 50 appearances across competitions for Chelsea, bagging seven goals and nine assists.

The 24-year-old played a more attacking role, slightly different from the box-to-box midfield position he usually takes up. Even if Gallagher decides to remain at Stamford Bridge, he will have to compete with Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez, and Romeo Lavia, among others, for minutes.

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Enzo Maresca says Conor Gallagher isn't a regular starter at Chelsea

Conor Gallagher

Fear of limited minutes under new Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca may have had to do with Conor Gallagher's rumored exit. The Italian has clarified there will be no regular starters at Stamford Bridge as players must earn their places.

Maresca joined the Blues earlier this summer after Chelsea decided to part ways with Mauricio Pochettino. When asked if Gallagher would be a squad player, Maresca said (via Football London):

"Nobody is going to be a regular starter because if I say someone is going to be a regular starter, I think it is a lack of respect. For them, they need to work hard day by day very hard and show me and convince me they are to play but nobody knows."

Gallagher has made 95 appearances across competitions for Chelsea, bagging 10 goals and as many assists. His only trophy with the Blues was the 2018-19 Europa League.