Mauricio Pochettino reveals stance on Conor Gallagher amid West Ham links

Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino has revealed that Conor Gallagher is firmly in his plans amid concrete interest from several Premier League clubs this summer.

West Ham United have already seen a £40 million plus bonuses bid rejected for the England international. 

But the Hammers are poised to return with an improved proposal for the player, who has two years left on his contract with Chelsea.

The Blues have been on a selling spree this summer, and Gallagher has been touted to leave Stamford Bridge. But Pochettino claims he wants to keep him.

“Conor is in our plan,” Pochettino told Sky Sports. “I was talking with him the first day that he arrived, but he’s in our plan. 

“In football, anything can happen. But at the moment, I’m happy with him and his performance. There are still two years on his contract, so, at the moment, there’s nothing to say.”

Chelsea are severely depleted in the central midfield area after parting ways with N’Golo Kante, Mateo Kovacic, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Kai Havertz and Mason Mount this summer.

They are yet to bring in a new face in that area of the squad, although talks are ongoing with Brighton & Hove Albion about defensive midfielder Moises Caicedo.

Chelsea have also been linked with a move for Ajax midfielder Mohammed Kudus, who is reportedly close to agreeing personal terms.

With Enzo Fernandez the only midfielder with enough senior experience in the squad after Gallagher, Pochettino has handed significant pre-season minutes to teenagers, including Carney Chukwuemeka, Andrey Santos and Cesare Casadei.

However, the Argentine tactician has confirmed the club is working to reinforce the midfield, and the next few weeks could be crucial in their attempts to improve the squad.

“It depends on the situation of different players,” Pochettino added.

“I think at least we need one more. We are working on that, but it depends on what happens in the next few weeks.”

Chelsea will take on Newcastle United in Atlanta tomorrow in their third match of the pre-season tour. The Blues have been victorious in the previous two against Wrexham and Brighton.