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Conor Gallagher is aiming for a bigger role with England as he looks forward to a new chapter with club and country.
Gallagher was a regular in Gareth Southgate’s side, winning 18 caps since his debut in 2021, but he struggled to find starting opportunities in England’s midfield.
The 24-year-old is back in England duty after being named in interim head coach Lee Carsley’s squad for upcoming games with the Republic of Ireland and Finland, and will be hoping to make his mark in a revamped squad that includes four uncapped players.
Gallagher, who ended his long association with Chelsea in the summer to join La Liga giants Atletico Madrid, said: “I think it’s my third year with England. But I still don’t feel like a senior player.”
“I feel like I have limits to overcome. I still have work to do to become a se
ior player on and off the field.
“I’m really happy to continue playing for England and hopefully I can develop further, improve and play a bigger role in the team.
“It seems like a really good group – it’s fresh, there’s a lot of new faces and it’s really exciting and there’s so much talent as well.”
Life under Southgate is all Gallagher and much of the England squad have known in senior international football and he admits it is a little strange not to have his “brilliant” former boss around, with the 54-year-old stepping down after leading the team to the Euro 2024 final.
However, Gallagher is relishing the opportunity to work with his former England Under-21 coach Carsley.
Asked if the camp felt a bit “weird” without Southgate, he replied: “Sure, a bit.
“Gareth worked with England for eight years. I only worked with him for two or three years. He was brilliant for me and he did an incredible job with England.
“I wish him the best but he’s Lee Carsley now and I’ve known him very well since the Under-21s and I’m delighted to be working with him.
“I’m really happy for him because he deserves this opportunity.
“I’m really happy with the last few years, with Gareth and the number of opportunities he’s given me. I want to keep moving forward and try to improve to get more chances and more minutes.”
As Gallagher looks to further his England ambitions under Carsley, he also has a new challenge at club level after deciding to leave Stamford Bridge this summer and move to Spain.
The midfielder, who came through Chelsea’s youth ranks, has signed a five-year contract with Atletico after the clubs agreed a £33.7million fee.
Gallagher featured in all but one of Chelsea’s games under Mauricio Pochettino last season, scoring 16 goals in 50 appearances in all competitions, but his future under new boss Enzo Maresca was uncertain as he entered the final year of his contract.
Gallagher said of his time at Stamford Bridge: “Honestly, with Chelsea I have nothing but good things to say.
“I’m so grateful and thankful for everything they’ve done for me at the academy and in the first team.
“As for the fans, last season in particular, they were very warm towards me, which gave me confidence. I leave Chelsea with really special memories.
“In football, things happen. I left Chelsea but I look back on all my memories and I’m really happy to have been able to play for them. The dream came true.
“Chelsea make their own decisions and they have signed top players on long-term contracts. That wasn’t the case for me but, in the end, what happened is good for everyone, so everyone is happy.
“As soon as I knew that Atlético were interested, I was excited. It’s a huge club and an incredible city and I’m very excited for the years to come.”
