Newcastle legend Alan Shearer picks Chelsea loanee Conor Gallagher in his Premier League ‘team of the season’

Former Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer has named Chelsea loanee Conor Gallagher in his Premier League team of the season till now. The young English midfielder has enjoyed a fantastic loan stint at Crystal Palace till now.

Shearer while selecting players for his Premier League team of the season picked Gallagher to play alongside West Ham United’s Declan Rice and Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva.

Explaining his decision Shearer said, “In midfield, I’m going with Conor Gallagher. On loan from Chelsea, up to now, he’s been a main driving force in that Crystal Palace team. Everyone has been impressed with the way he has played.”

The Premier League is filled with talented midfielders and therefore it is big praise for Gallagher that his skills have been noticed by someone like Alan Shearer. The former Newcastle United legend decided to go with the Chelsea loanee above players like N’Golo Kante, Matteo Kovacic, Phil Foden and Mason Mount among many others.

Despite being on loan Gallagher has taken this opportunity to prove to his parent club, Chelsea that he can perform at this level. He has been the buoyant force for Crystal Palace this season. The 21-year-old midfielder has recorded six goals and has provided three assists across his 17 appearances so far. His heroics for Crystal Palace have helped him earn a spot in the England National team.

Chelsea signed the talented midfielder from Charlton Athletic in 2019. However, they have not shown enough trust to keep him in the main team. They have rather loaned him out to clubs like Swansea City, West Bromwich Albion and now Crystal Palace. Therefore he understands the struggle of fighting for his place in a team. His struggles have helped him develop as a fine young talent.

Shearer discussed a lot about the young midfielder. While pondering whether Gallagher can make his way to Newcastle United this summer, Shearer rubbished the chances of the move happening in the January transfer window. But he also added how Gallagher may look for a proper club if he does not get proper gametime at Stamford Bridge after this kind of performance in the Premier League.

“There is zero chance that Gallagher joins Newcastle in the January window,” Shearer reasoned. “In the summer, he is expected to return to Palace, with no permanent clause inserted in his current loan. It depends on what Chelsea are planning. He has certainly done enough to earn a place in Chelsea’s squad going forward under Thomas Tuchel. But given the level of quality in Chelsea’s midfield, will he play regularly? If that is not the case, he might depart.”