Chelsea star wants to stay despite being linked with exit

Chelsea return to action when they welcome Championship side Preston North End to Stamford Bridge in the FA Cup on Saturday. 

The Blues go into the third round tie off the back of back-to-back Premier League victories against Crystal Palace and, most recently, Luton Town.

Cole Palmer was instrumental during the 3-2 win over the Hatters, scoring twice and setting up the other, but manager Mauricio Pochettino could give the youngster a rest against Preston.

Another player that may sit out the game on Saturday is midfielder Conor Gallagher, who has been at the centre of intense speculation of late.

The Englishman has been heavily linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge, but Football London claims that the player himself is keen to stay put.

Gallagher, 23, is a product of Chelsea’s fruitful youth academy and has established himself as a regular in the first team since making his debut at the start of last season.

Gallagher is keen to stay put at Stamford Bridge despite interest from elsewhere

In total the midfielder has made 68 appearances for the Blues, including 23 so far this season across all competitions.

Despite his importance to Pochettino’s side, Gallagher has been heavily linked with a move away from Chelsea in recent months, and the England international was said to have been close to departing his boyhood club during last summer’s transfer window.

London rivals Tottenham Hotspur are said to be one of the clubs interested in Gallagher, but the report claims that the former Crystal Palace loanee is not interested in leaving Chelsea.

Pochettino, who has given Gallagher the captain’s armband on several occasions this season, is also said to be hopeful that the player will stay put in West London beyond this month’s window.

His future may ultimately be decided by those in charge of the club, though, with the player’s current contract set to expire in 18 months.