Conor Gallagher

English footballer (born 2000)

Conor Gallagher
Gallagher playing for Crystal Palace in 2021
Personal information
Full name Conor John Gallagher[1]
Date of birth (2000-02-06) 6 February 2000 (age 24)[2]
Place of birth Epsom, England
Height 6 ft 0 in (1.82 m)[3]
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Chelsea
Number 23
Youth career
0000–2008 Epsom Eagles
2008–2019 Chelsea
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2019– Chelsea 65 (6)
2019–2020 → Charlton Athletic (loan) 26 (6)
2020 → Swansea City (loan) 19 (0)
2020–2021 → West Bromwich Albion (loan) 30 (2)
2021–2022 → Crystal Palace (loan) 34 (8)
International career‡
2017–2018 England U17 4 (0)
2018 England U18 6 (0)
2018–2019 England U19 9 (2)
2019 England U20 4 (0)
2019–2022 England U21 15 (3)
2021– England 12 (0)
Medal record
Men's football
Representing  England
FIFA U-17 World Cup
Winner 2017 U-17 Team
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 21:00, 15 April 2024 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 21:58, 23 March 2024 (UTC)

Conor John Gallagher (born 6 February 2000) is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Premier League club Chelsea and the England national team.

Beginning his career with Chelsea, Gallagher spent time on loan at EFL Championship clubs Charlton Athletic, Swansea City, and Premier League clubs West Bromwich Albion and Crystal Palace, between 2019 and 2022. At Crystal Palace, Gallagher was named the club's Player of the Year for the 2021–22 season. He subsequently made his first-team debut at Chelsea during the 2022–23 season.

After representing England at various youth levels, Gallagher made his debut for the senior national team in November 2021.

Early and personal life

Gallagher was born in Epsom, Surrey to Lee and Samantha Gallagher and is the youngest of their four sons. He grew up in Great Bookham[4] and attended Howard of Effingham School.[5] His older brothers, Jake, Josh and Dan,[6] are footballers at non-league level.[7][8] Gallagher's family are Chelsea fans, and he lived a ten-minute drive from their training ground in Stoke d'Abernon.[8]

Club career

Early career

Gallagher playing for Chelsea in 2018

After playing for Epsom Eagles,[8] Gallagher joined Chelsea at the age of eight.[9] In October 2018, he signed a new contract with Chelsea, contracting him to the club until June 2021.[7] He had minor heart surgery that year.[8] In May 2019, he was an unused substitute in the 2019 UEFA Europa League final, collecting a winner's medal.[8][10] He was awarded Chelsea's Academy Player of the Year for the 2018–19 season.[10]

2019–20 season: Loans to Charlton Athletic and Swansea City

In August 2019, Gallagher signed a new three-year contract with Chelsea and moved on loan to Championship club Charlton Athletic.[9] After his first month with Charlton, in which he scored three goals in six matches, he won the EFL Young Player of the Month award for August.[10][11] On 14 January 2020, Gallagher was recalled by Chelsea.[12]

On 15 January 2020, the day after leaving Charlton, Gallagher joined Championship club Swansea City on loan for the rest of the 2019–20 season.[13][14] During his time in South Wales, Gallagher was part of the Swansea team that reached the semi-finals of the Championship play-off, where they lost 3–2 to Brentford on aggregate.[15] He later said that his time at Swansea allowed him to be more creative as a player.[16]

2020–21 season: Loan to West Bromwich Albion

On 17 September 2020, Gallagher signed a new five-year contract with Chelsea, and joined fellow Premier League club West Bromwich Albion on loan for the 2020–21 season.[17][18] On 28 November, Gallagher scored his first Premier League goal and his first goal for West Brom in a 1–0 home league win over Sheffield United.[19] His only other goal for the club came in a 5–1 home defeat to future club Crystal Palace on 6 December.[20]

Gallagher was named Albion's Young Player of the Season as the club finished 19th in the Premier League and were relegated to the Championship.[3][21]

2021–22 season: Loan to Crystal Palace

In July 2021, Gallagher joined Premier League club Crystal Palace on loan for the 2021–22 season.[22][23] He scored two goals in a 2–2 draw with West Ham United on 28 August 2021, his first goals for Palace.[24] In November, Gallagher was subjected to homophobic chants from a group of Leeds United fans; the club issued a statement which condemned this.[25] By the start of December, he had six goals and three assists for Crystal Palace, the most of any Premier League player aged 21 or under.[26] On 15 April 2022, he was prevented by parent club Chelsea from playing against them in the FA Cup semi-final; Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel apologised for doing so. Chelsea went on to defeat Palace 2–0.[27]

During his season with Palace, Gallagher was described by The Daily Telegraph as "one of the Premier League's most vibrant talents" and "a key player for Patrick Vieira", who was "thriving in his box-to-box role".[28][29] For his performances with the club, he was later named Crystal Palace's Player of the Season.[30]

2022–present: Return to Chelsea

2022–23

In July 2022, ahead of the 2022–23 season, Gallagher said he was determined to make a first-team breakthrough at Chelsea.[31][32]

On 6 August 2022, he made his Chelsea debut, as a substitute, in a 1–0 away win against Everton in the Premier League.[33] He made his first start for the club in a 3–0 loss to Leeds United at Elland Road on 21 August.[34] In the following match, a 2–1 win over Leicester City at Stamford Bridge on 27 August, Gallagher received his first career red card for two bookable offences.[35]

On 14 September, Gallagher made his UEFA Champions League debut as an 81st minute substitute for Mateo Kovačić in a 1–1 draw with RB Salzburg in the group stage.[36]

On 1 October, Gallagher scored his first goal for Chelsea, a 90th-minute winner in a 2–1 away victory over his former club, Crystal Palace.[37] This goal was later awarded Chelsea's Goal of the Season on 28 May 2023.[38]

Gallagher scored further goals against Brighton & Hove Albion in April 2023[39] and Bournemouth in May 2023[40] to end his first season as a Chelsea first team player with three goals from 45 appearances.[41]

2023–24

Ahead of the 2023–24 season, Chelsea rejected a bid for Gallagher from West Ham United.[42]

On 31 August 2023, Gallagher captained Chelsea for the first time, in a 2–1 EFL Cup victory over Wimbledon.[43] He captained the team for the first time in a league match on 17 September as Chelsea drew 0–0 with Bournemouth.[44] Gallagher went on the regularly captain Chelsea throughout the 2023–24 season in the absences of regular captain Reece James and vice-captain Ben Chilwell.[45]

On 7 February 2024, he scored his first goal of the season in an FA Cup fourth round replay win at Aston Villa.[46] In the following match, he scored his first two Premier League goals of the season in a 3–1 away victory over his former club Crystal Palace on 12 February.[47]

On 25 February, he was in Chelsea's starting line-up for the EFL Cup Final against Liverpool at Wembley Stadium. He played the full 90 minutes of regular time and another seven minutes of extra time before being substituted for Noni Madueke in the team's eventual 1–0 loss.[48]

In April 2024, Gallagher received abuse after a video purporting to show him ignoring a child mascot before a match was released; Gallagher was defended by Pochettino.[49] Gallagher scored his first home goal of the season in the fifth minute of a 4–3 win over Manchester United on 4 April.[50]

International career

Gallagher's family heritage meant he was eligible to play for England, Scotland or the Republic of Ireland until he made a competitive appearance for any at senior level.[5][51] He represented England at under-17, under-18, under-19 and under-20 youth levels, winning the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup in India.[7]

On 8 October 2019, Gallagher received his first call up to the England U21 squad[52] and made his debut on 11 October as a substitute during a 2–2 draw against Slovenia in Maribor.[53]

On 14 November 2021, he received his first call-up to the England senior squad.[54] The following day, he earned his first cap, coming on as a half-time substitute in England's 10–0 win over San Marino.[55] He made his first start in a 2–1 friendly win over Switzerland on 26 March 2022, assisting a goal for Luke Shaw.[56]

In November 2022, he was named in England's squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar[57] where he was an unused substitute in all five of the team's matches.[3]

Style of play

Gallagher has said his "best position is as a box-to-box midfielder [...] I can play deeper and I can play attacking as well",[8] and was described by Lee Bowyer, his manager at Charlton at the time, as "an all-round midfielder. His work-rate is unreal, he puts his foot in for tackles and he can also see a pass".[10] Patrick Vieira likened Gallagher's style of play to that of former players Ray Parlour and Frank Lampard,[58] who was Gallagher's idol while he was growing up.[10]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 15 April 2024
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup EFL Cup Europe Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Chelsea U23 2018–19[59] — — — — 4[a] 0 4 0
Chelsea 2018–19[59] Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2022–23[60] Premier League 35 3 1 0 1 0 8[b] 0 — 45 3
2023–24[61] Premier League 30 3 5 2 7 0 — — 42 5
Total 65 6 6 2 8 0 8 0 0 0 87 8
Charlton Athletic (loan) 2019–20[62] Championship 26 6 0 0 0 0 — — 26 6
Swansea City (loan) 2019–20[62] Championship 19 0 — — — 2[c] 0 21 0
West Bromwich Albion (loan) 2020–21[63] Premier League 30 2 1 0 1 0 — — 32 2
Crystal Palace (loan) 2021–22[64] Premier League 34 8 4 0 1 0 — — 39 8
Career total 174 22 11 2 10 0 8 0 6 0 209 24
  1. ^ Appearances in EFL Trophy
  2. ^ Appearances in UEFA Champions League
  3. ^ Appearances in Championship play-offs

International

As of match played 23 March 2024[65]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
England 2021 1 0
2022 3 0
2023 7 0
2024 1 0
Total 12 0

Honours

Chelsea

England U17

Individual

References

  1. ^ "Squad List: FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022: England (ENG)" (PDF). FIFA. 28 November 2022. p. 11. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  2. ^ "Conor Gallagher". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Retrieved 31 August 2019.
  3. ^ a b c "Conor Gallagher". Chelsea F.C. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  4. ^ Madeley, Steve (30 November 2020). "Meet the Gallaghers: 'Even now we still have a play fight and beat Conor up'". The Athletic. Retrieved 13 December 2021.
  5. ^ a b Seckington, Kaylee (28 September 2017). "Bookham-based Chelsea midfielder called up for England U17s' World Cup squad". Get Surrey. Retrieved 13 December 2021.
  6. ^ Seckington, Kaylee (27 July 2017). ""Even I didn't realise how good he is," Aldershot Town midfielder admits after facing Chelsea starlet brother". Get Surrey. Retrieved 14 May 2019.
  7. ^ a b c "Conor Gallagher". Chelsea F.C.
  8. ^ a b c d e f Cawley, Richard (20 September 2019). "Exclusive interview with Chelsea midfield prospect Conor Gallagher and his thoughts on Charlton loan move". London News Online.
  9. ^ a b "Conor Gallagher: Charlton Athletic sign Chelsea midfielder on loan". BBC Sport. 2 August 2019.
  10. ^ a b c d e f Stevens, Rob (20 September 2019). "Conor Gallagher: Chelsea youngster on 'idol' Frank Lampard and Charlton Athletic loan". BBC Sport. Retrieved 6 December 2019.
  11. ^ a b "Conor Gallagher wins EFL Young Player of the Month award for August". Charlton Athletic F.C. 20 September 2019.
  12. ^ "Conor Gallagher trains with Chelsea after recall from Charlton loan". Sky Sports. 14 January 2020. Retrieved 14 January 2020.
  13. ^ "Swansea City seal Conor Gallagher loan signing". Swansea City A.F.C. 15 January 2020. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
  14. ^ "Conor Gallagher: Swansea City sign Chelsea midfielder on loan". Swansea City A.F.C. 15 January 2020. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
  15. ^ "Rock 'n' Roll Star". EFL. 11 February 2022.
  16. ^ Mitchelmore, Ian (4 July 2020). "Chelsea's Conor Gallagher transfer decision explained". WalesOnline. Media Wales.
  17. ^ "Gallagher signs new deal and completes Premier League loan". Chelsea F.C. 17 September 2020. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
  18. ^ "West Brom sign Chelsea's Gallagher on loan". BBC Sport. 18 September 2020.
  19. ^ "West Bromwich Albion 1–0 Sheffield United: Baggies move out of relegation zone with win". BBC Sport. 28 November 2020. Retrieved 28 November 2020.
  20. ^ "West Bromwich Albion 1–5 Crystal Palace". BBC Sport. 6 December 2020. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
  21. ^ "West Brom relegated after Nicolas Pépé's thunderbolt for Arsenal". The Guardian. 9 May 2021.
  22. ^ "Conor Gallagher joins Palace on loan". Crystal Palace F.C. 30 July 2021. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
  23. ^ "Chelsea's Gallagher joins Palace on loan". BBC Sport. 30 July 2021.
  24. ^ "Gallagher rescues point for Palace at West Ham". BBC Sport. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
  25. ^ "Leeds says homophobic chant 'unacceptable'". BBC Sport. 1 December 2021.
  26. ^ "What does future hold for Gallagher?". BBC Sport. 12 December 2021.
  27. ^ "Tuchel apologises to Gallagher for FA Cup block". BBC Sport. 15 April 2022. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
  28. ^ Dean, Sam (5 November 2021). "Fourth loan lucky: Conor Gallagher has become one of the Premier League's most vibrant talents". The Daily Telegraph. London.
  29. ^ Woosnam, Matt (1 August 2022). "Crystal Palace's pre-season has been strong, but the loss of Conor Gallagher still hurts". The Athletic.
  30. ^ "Conor Gallagher wins Crystal Palace Player of the Season 2021/22". Crystal Palace F.C. 10 May 2022. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
  31. ^ "Gallagher determined to make Chelsea breakthrough". BBC Sport.
  32. ^ "Chelsea: Conor Gallagher ready to 'prove' worth to Tuchel". BBC Sport.
  33. ^ "Chelsea opened the Premier League season with victory over Everton as Jorginho's penalty decided a scrappy contest at Goodison Park". BBC Sport. 6 August 2022. Retrieved 6 August 2022.
  34. ^ "Leeds vs Chelsea FC". Evening Standard. 5 April 2024.
  35. ^ "Chelsea FC hit by Gallagher red card in Leicester defeat". Evening Standard. 5 April 2024.
  36. ^ "Match Report: Chelsea vs. RB Salzburg". UEFA. 14 September 2022.
  37. ^ "Conor Gallagher's last-minute strike gives Chelsea win at Crystal Palace". The Guardian. London. 1 October 2022.
  38. ^ a b "Gallagher wins Chelsea Goal of the Season". Chelsea F.C. 28 May 2023. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
  39. ^ "Report: Chelsea 1 Brighton 2". Chelsea FC. 16 May 2023.
  40. ^ "Gallagher reveals reasons for Bournemouth boost". Chelsea FC. 7 May 2023.
  41. ^ "Borussia Dortmund interested in Chelsea star Conor Gallagher". Metro. 21 June 2023.
  42. ^ "Chelsea reject West Ham bid for Gallagher". BBC Sport.
  43. ^ "Gallagher proud to captain Chelsea to cup win". Chelsea F.C. 31 August 2023. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
  44. ^ "Gallagher surprised but proud to captain Chelsea". Chelsea FC. 22 September 2023.
  45. ^ "Conor Gallagher signs new Chelsea contract until 2026 with midfielder eyeing breakthrough season". Evening Standard. 15 November 2023.
  46. ^ "Chelsea relieve pressure on Pochettino by blasting Aston Villa out of FA Cup". The Guardian. 8 February 2024.
  47. ^ "Crystal Palace 1–3 Chelsea". BBC Sport. 12 February 2024.
  48. ^ "Carabao Cup final: Chelsea 0-1 Liverpool (aet) Virgil van Dijk with extra-time winner". BBC Sport. 25 February 2024.
  49. ^ "Gallagher abuse condemned after 'out of context' video" – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  50. ^ "Live updates: Chelsea vs Manchester United". The Athletic. 4 April 2024.
  51. ^ "Seven facts about Albion's seventh signing Conor Gallagher". West Bromwich Albion F.C. 18 September 2020.
  52. ^ "Sam Surridge, Ben Wilmot, and Conor Gallagher called into England U21s squad". The Football Association. 8 October 2019. Retrieved 8 October 2019.
  53. ^ "Goals from Eddie Nketiah and Sam Surridge cancelled out as Young Lions tie in Maribor". The Football Association. 11 October 2019. Retrieved 12 October 2019.
  54. ^ "Gallagher called up as five miss out". BBC Sport. 14 November 2021.
  55. ^ "Conor Gallagher makes senior England debut in San Marino romp". Crystal Palace F.C. 15 November 2021.
  56. ^ "England 2-1 Switzerland: Player ratings as Conor Gallagher impresses and Harry Kane scores again at Wembley". Sky Sports. 27 March 2022.
  57. ^ "Maddison, Rashford and Wilson make England squad". BBC Sport.
  58. ^ "Conor Gallagher 'like Parlour and Lampard' says Patrick Vieira as Chelsea loanee shines at Crystal Palace". London Evening Standard. 15 December 2021. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
  59. ^ a b "Games played by Conor Gallagher in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  60. ^ "Games played by Conor Gallagher in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 25 June 2023.
  61. ^ "Games played by Conor Gallagher in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
  62. ^ a b "Games played by Conor Gallagher in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  63. ^ "Games played by Conor Gallagher in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  64. ^ "Games played by Conor Gallagher in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  65. ^ "Conor Gallagher: Internationals". worldfootball.net. HEIM:SPIEL. Retrieved 23 March 2024.
  66. ^ Bevan, Chris (29 May 2019). "Chelsea 4–1 Arsenal". BBC Sport. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  67. ^ McNulty, Phil (25 February 2024). "Chelsea 0–1 Liverpool". BBC Sport. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
  68. ^ Hafez, Shamoon (17 January 2019). "England's U17 World Cup winners – where are they now?". BBC Sport. Retrieved 17 January 2019.
  69. ^ "Callum Hudson-Odoi wins Young Player of the Year and Conor Gallagher picks up Academy prize". Chelsea F.C. 10 May 2019.
  70. ^ "Conor Gallagher Wins Crystal Palace Player of the Season 2021/22". Crystal Palace F.C. 10 May 2022. Retrieved 10 May 2022.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Conor Gallagher.
  • Profile at the Chelsea F.C. website
  • Profile at the Football Association website
  • Conor Gallagher – UEFA competition record (archive) Edit this at Wikidata
  • v
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Chelsea F.C. – current squad
  • v
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England squad – 2022 FIFA World Cup
England
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Crystal Palace F.C. – Player of the Year