Conor Gallagher has returned to Chelsea after a successful season-long loan at Crystal Palace last term.
Midfielder Conor Gallagher has revealed his desire to make his breakthrough at Chelsea FC after manager Thomas Tuchel gave him some assurances.
Gallagher, whose Chelsea contract runs until 2025, was on a season-long loan at south London club Crystal Palace last term, and his brilliant performances at Selhurst Park led him to make his England debut.
However, the 22-year-old is determined to play in the Blues' first team this season as he hopes to feature at the World Cup in Qatar.
"It was a nice phone call with Tuchel.'"
"I feel like this is the season," the Chelsea academy graduate told BBC Sport. "I've been a Chelsea fan my whole life, my family have, it's been a dream to play [for Chelsea] but I want to try and impress, and play as much football as I can and affect the game when I'm on the pitch.
"[Tuchel] said he wants me to be part of the squad and to prove myself in pre-season, so that's the plan. I'm happy with that and just willing to work as hard as I can to prove to him that I can play for Chelsea.
"It's what I wanted to hear, it was a nice phone call that we had and it gave me a clear plan of pre-season and where I'm going to be. It was great to hear."
Gallagher thanked Crystal Palace and their coach Patrick Vieira for his development and the opportunity they gave him last season.
"They helped me to improve and express myself on the pitch," he said. "So I'm very grateful for that but I feel like it's time to have a step up."
If Gallagher is to break into Tuchel’s team, he would face competition in midfield from the likes of N'Golo Kante, Jorginho, Mateo Kovacic, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Billy Gilmour, and Ross Barkley.
However, Gallagher says he is excited by the challenge he will be facing at Stamford Bridge.
"Everyone wants to play as much as they can, but I'm willing to work as hard as I can to be on the pitch as much as possible," Gallagher said.
"There's world-class players in the squad and it's obviously a tough team to get into but I feel like if that challenge is there, I think I'd be a bit silly not to take it.
"With Chelsea being my club as well that I've supported, it's very exciting.
"I'm very keen [to play at the World Cup] because every English player wants to play for England and in a World Cup would be very special. And of course, it's very important that I'll be playing games and performing.
"The call-up was a very proud moment, for sure. But it didn't change the way I thought of myself or anything. It was nice to get that recognition and belief from the manager.
"It's very important to stay humble and do everything you can to perform well."
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