Wilfried Zaha has explained how much Conor Gallagher has improved Crystal Palace following his loan move from Chelsea in the summer.
Speaking to talkSPORT, Zaha emphasised how important his new teammate is to Patrick Vieira’s side.
Gallagher has certainly been soaring high since donning his Eagle wings in July.
His brace against West Ham United and buzzing display at home to Brentford earned the 21-year-old Palace’s player of the month award for August.
He then grabbed an assist in the 3-0 thumping of Tottenham Hotspur after the international break.
The midfielder’s only absence this season came on the Premier League’s opening weekend as he was ineligible to face his parent club, Chelsea.
Golden Gallagher
Now an established member of Vieira’s contingent, Gallagher is certainly catching the eye away from Stamford Bridge.
And that’s not only from outside Selhurst Park’s grand walls but from within them as well.
“He is a very good player, to be honest,” says the twinkle-toed Zaha.
“The thing he brings is that energy we need. I’m sure everyone’s seen it.
“There have been a couple of games in which everyone can see Conor’s potential because he’s young as well, so he’s only going to get better.
“Having him in the team has improved the team massively because of the energy.
“He will be a top player. Not everyone can go from box to box throughout the whole game. So yeah, it makes a difference.”
Praise from Palace’s most influential and important player shouldn’t be taken lightly.
While Gallagher has clearly improved the group, Zaha remains king of the ring.
Without him, the Eagles would have no feathers to fly with.
So when he says you’re significant, it means you’re significant.
Chelsea will certainly take pride in the fact Gallagher has been accepted so quickly across the capital.
Many players shipped out of south west London struggle in their new surroundings.
Few return a more refined individual.
Yet it appears Gallagher is bucking the trend, intent on proving to his boyhood employers he’s worthy of Thomas Tuchel’s trust.