Conor Gallagher reveals how Atletico Madrid move can help boost England after Chelsea exit

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Evening Standard

·6. September 2024

Conor Gallagher reveals how Atletico Madrid move can help boost England after Chelsea exit

Former Blues midfielder is excited by Lee Carsley’s interim tenure after praising the ‘amazing’ job done by Gareth Southgate

Conor Gallagher believes his move to Spain could benefit the England national team.

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The 24-year-old midfielder joined Atletico Madrid from Chelsea last month in a deal worth £33.5million, with Portugal winger Joao Felix heading in the opposite direction.

He had been made Chelsea captain by Enzo Maresca’s predecessor, Mauricio Pochettino, but was sold this summer in part due to financial reasons, with the sale of an academy product counting as pure profit in the club accounts.

Gallagher has now spoken about how his move to Spain, who beat England in July’s Euro 2024 final and had 66 per cent possession that night in Berlin, could help the Three Lions.

Fresh start: Conor Gallagher is hoping his move from Chelsea to Atletico Madrid will only serve to benefit England

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“It’s a different style of football, different for my development,” he explained. “I can learn new things and improve. If I become a better player, I can help England as well, if I’m with the group.”

Gallagher revealed it has been a strange experience to be at an England camp without the presence of Gareth Southgate, who resigned after eight years in charge following the European Championship.

England now have Under-21 boss Lee Carsley in place as interim manager and are preparing to open their Nations League Group B2 campaign against the Republic of Ireland in Dublin on Saturday, before hosting Finland at Wembley on Tuesday.

“Gareth was working with England for eight years — I was only with him two or three years,” Gallagher said. “He was brilliant for me and did an amazing job with England.

“I wish him all the very best, but it’s Lee Carsley now and I know him really well from the Under-21s and am excited to work with him. I’m really happy for him because he deserves the opportunity.

“Everyone knows what kind of game it [Republic of Ireland vs England] is and what it’s going to be. It means so much to the fans and us as well.

“We know how much it’s going to mean to the Ireland players. We’ve got to have the same mentality and we’re really looking forward to the challenge.”