Conor Gallagher issues verdict on Club World Cup as Atletico prepare to face 'best in the world' PSG

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·11 giugno 2025

Conor Gallagher issues verdict on Club World Cup as Atletico prepare to face 'best in the world' PSG

The expanded tournament kicks off this weekend as the season extends into July

England midfielder Conor Gallagher is relishing the prospect of the Club World Cup and the chance to face Paris Saint-Germain, who he believes are “the best team in the world right now”.

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Atletico Madrid are set to kick off their Club World Cup campaign on Sunday when they take on Champions League winners PSG.

Gallagher will be part of their squad after finishing his international duty with England on Tuesday night, when the Three Lions lost to Senegal.

The Club World Cup has come in for criticism, given it is taking place at the end of a long season, but Gallagher is excited about the challenge it presents.

“It’s really exciting and I’m really looking forward to it,” he said. “It’s going to be a great tournament.

“I think it will be really exciting when all the teams are actually there and the tournament starts. I’m really looking forward to it.

Chance: Conor Gallagher can cement his starting spot alongside Declan Rice

Mike Egerton/PA Wire

“They [PSG] are a world-class team. They are the best team in the world right now and we'll be giving our best to try and beat them.

“You want to always play against the best players and the [PSG] midfielders obviously had an unbelievable season, so you want to be playing against these guys. We know how hard it will be, but it’s good for us and it’s exciting.”

Gallagher started for England in their 3-1 defeat to Senegal, playing alongside Declan Rice in a 4-4-2 formation.

Rice has been a regular for England for a number of years now, but he has had different midfield partners in that time.

During last summer’s Euros, former boss Gareth Southgate experimented with Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield and Gallagher believes the spot next to Rice is up for grabs under Tuchel.

There’s a lot of improvement to be made. It’s a shame we’re away from each other for a few months now, as he would like to kind of fix the problem straight away

Conor Gallagher on Thomas Tuchel

“Yeah, of course, but I just want to be part of the squad,” he said.

“I want to play as much as I can and I know I need to be performing at club level and when I’m here to be involved, then that’s what I'm going to do.

“It was a really tough game [against Senegal], but we’re still building. There’s a lot to improve and there’s a lot to work on and, as a team, we’ll do that.

“I’m sure the manager and the coaching staff will look back at the game and see where we can be better because there is a lot of improvement to be made, but we’re moving forward.

“[Tuchel] is calm. He’s obviously disappointed and not happy, but he’s calm with us. He knows we could be a lot better.

“There’s a lot of improvement to be made. It’s a shame because we’re away from each other for a few months now, whereas he would like to kind of fix the problem straight away.

“But he can’t because that’s how it is in international football, but it’s a work in progress and all the lads and the staff and the manager are all confident and and happy with the progression.”