Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher has confirmed his desire to stay and make a name for himself at Stamford Bridge this season.
The 22-year-old is yet to break into Thomas Tuchel's first team on a consistent basis and has been sent out on loan to Charlton Athletic, Swansea City, West Bromwich Albion and Crystal Palace.
Gallagher played a starring role under Patrick Vieira during his most recent spell away from Chelsea with the Eagles, coming up with eight goals and five assists in 39 appearances in all tournaments.
Palace reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup thanks to Gallagher's contributions, although the midfielder was ineligible to face his parent club Chelsea in the final four.
Gallagher has since returned to Stamford Bridge, and he has been integrated into Tuchel's pre-season squad for their tour of the United States, but his future has remained a major talking point.
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Aston Villa and Everton are understood to have been keeping a close eye on Gallagher's future, but the England international has now laid those rumours to rest.
"It has been good and obviously back at Chelsea, I have got to try and impress and show what I can do, but yeah, so far, so good," Gallagher told Sky Sports News during pre-season.
"I loved the Palace fans as well, I just wanted to say that. I loved playing there last season, but I feel like I'm ready to make the step-up for Chelsea this season.
"The boss here has said he wants me around and he thinks I'm good enough. Hopefully I can play a big part this season for Chelsea."
Palace boss Vieira has also ruled out the prospect of welcoming Gallagher back to the club after his impressive loan spell, telling reporters: "At the moment I don't think there is any chance because he is a Chelsea player.
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"He did fantastically well for us, but he is in pre-season with Chelsea and honestly we wish him all the best. I don't think there is a way to get him back."
Gallagher has represented Chelsea at Under-18 and Under-19 level since joining as a youth player in 2008, but he is yet to make his competitive debut for the club.
The ex-Palace loanee has a contract at Stamford Bridge until 2025, though, and he will eye more opportunities in the middle amid uncertainty surrounding the futures of Ross Barkley, Jorginho and N'Golo Kante.
Gallagher was one of several Chelsea players who put in disappointing showings in Saturday's pre-season game with Arsenal, as the Gunners ran out 4-0 winners in the Florida Cup.
Blues boss Tuchel did not hold back after the crushing defeat to their London rivals and produced a scathing assessment of his players, even admitting that they may not be ready for their Premier League opener with Everton on August 6.
Chelsea will round off their pre-season period next Friday, as Serie A side Udinese lie in wait at Stadio Friuli.
Ben Knapton
