Mauricio Pochettino appears keen for Conor Gallagher to remain at Chelsea (Picture: Chelsea FC)
Mauricio Pochettino has refused to guarantee Conor Gallagher will still be a Chelsea player once the January transfer window closes.
The England international was on the verge of joining Tottenham in the summer but opted to stay and fight for his place.
Gallagher has since emerged as a key part of Chelsea’s midfield this season and cemented his place as a regular starter.
Despite his impressive form, Chelsea are understood to be keen to cash in on him this month amid renewed interest from Spurs.
Given Gallagher’s status as a homegrown player a sale, which could be worth up to £50million, would represent pure profit on the Blues’ balance sheet.
Following their unprecedented spending spree under their new Clearlake owners, Chelsea are understandably keen to balance their books and comply with Financial Fair Play regulations.
Asked about Gallagher’s situation ahead of this weekend’s FA Cup third round tie against Preston, Pochettino said: ‘I think we need to talk about many, many things but I think it’s clear Conor still has a one-and-a-half year contract with us.
Conor Gallagher has been in excellent form for Chelsea this season (Picture: Getty)
‘And that is like all the different players at different clubs when you arrive in this point it’s always time to talk and take some decisions for the future.
‘Of course always it’s going to be between the club and the player. At this moment there is nothing to announce, nothing to say.
‘The club is happy with him, I think he is happy here and at the moment nothing to say and nothing to announce.’
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Pressed on whether Gallagher would still be a Chelsea player come January, Pochettino added: ‘Look, I cannot guarantee I am going to be here tomorrow I can’t guarantee another thing. Look, in football with us, it’s different part of things can happen.
It’s between the club and the player. Only the player can guarantee or the club. The player more than the club because he has a one-and-a-half year contract he can say yes I am going to be here because my contract allows it.
‘The club will make the best decision for the club.’
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