The manager of Crystal Palace, Patrick Vieira, has compared the finishing ability of Conor Gallagher to that of Chelsea legend, Frank Lampard.
Vieira who is a legend of Arsenal football club and had competed against Lampard in the Premier League described Conor Gallagher as a manager’s dream.
Recall that Frank Lampard who is regarded as a box-to-box midfielder played for Chelsea between 2001 and 2014 before he moved to Manchester City and then New York City FC.
The 43-year-old retired midfielder is one of nine players, and the only midfielder, to have scored 150 or more goals in the Premier League. He is fourth in the Premier League’s all-time assists ranking, with 102 assists.
Hence, he did not only retire from football as one of Chelsea’s greatest ever players but retired from the game as one of the greatest midfielders of his generation.
The two basic things that Lampard and Conor Gallagher have in common are the fact that they are connected to Chelsea and they are midfielders. In terms of his style of play, Gallagher has the potentials to become a box-to-box midfielder like Lampard.
So far at Crystal Palace where he has been on loan from Chelsea under-23 team since July 1, 2023, the 21-year-old English midfielder has won more possession in the middle third than any other player. He is currently ranked second at Palace for tackles.
In 15 Premier League games for Crystal Palace, the English youngster has proven to be an all-round midfielder who can score goals, create chances, and provide assists. He has been doing that more than any other player at Crystal Palace.
His performance so far this season has reflected on the number of goals and assists the fast-rising football star has recorded. In 15 league games, Conor Gallagher has already scored 6 goals and provided 3 assists in all competitions.
His coach at Crystal Palace, Patrick Vieira said: “Conor has this passion for the game when he is on the field like a Ray Parlour, but I would say he has maybe the quality finishing of a Frank Lampard.
“It is a manager’s dream to have a player like Conor because when he is on the field, he will give everything.
“He is focused, concentrated, and will always give his best. This is something that for me is really important.”
Conor Gallagher is expected back at Chelsea on May 31, 2022, but his fate is in his hands
Conor Gallagher has made himself one of the most important players at Crystal Palace within a very short time. For instance, on Sunday, December 12, 2021, the English football star scored 2 goals in Palace 3-1 win over Everton.
Conor Gallagher put it on a postage stamp 💥#CPFC pic.twitter.com/BmhDyMsWGc
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) December 12, 2021
Unfortunately for Crystal Palace, they might lose Gallagher back to Chelsea next summer when his loan deal expires. However, Crystal Palace could decide to persuade him to sign a permanent deal with them since he is currently enjoying his game at the club.
When the coach of Chelsea, Thomas Tuchel was asked about the imminent return of Conor Gallagher to Chelsea, the coach stressed that Chelsea would have a discussion with him in the coming summer.
“I think it is important for him [Gallagher] to be happy where he is and not change things”, coach Tuchel said. “It is important to be calm, I feel him happy there and that he is having this impact at Crystal Palace.
“It is too early to talk about that in public before we talk with Conor himself and what his goals are. This will happen in the summer as we all agreed to the decision that we wanted to send him to Palace.
“He saw a possibility for him. I am not surprised the national coach loves him because I loved him from day one. The humble, nice, smile on his face and all the time ready to give everything, want to learn and improve.”
