What people close to Conor Gallagher actually think about him captaining Chelsea

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Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino named Reece James club captain and Ben Chilwell vice-captain before the season started.

However, both players have struggled to stay fit this term, which has seen Conor Gallagher step in and take the armband.

According to The Telegraph, though, even the midfielder’s close allies do not see him as a natural leader.

Nevertheless, Mauricio Pochettino has still gone with Gallagher in the absence of James and Chilwell despite having someone like Thiago Silva around.

At 39, Silva obviously has a lot of experience, while the central defender was also captain during his time at Paris Saint-Germain.

Conor Gallagher not a natural leader

When you watch Gallagher play, he is not an individual you see barking orders and trying to organise things like Silva.

It is clear, though, that Pochettino wants the Chelsea captain to be English. As well as Gallagher, James and Chilwell, Levi Colwill has also had the armband this season, so that is four England internationals who have all led the Blues out in the current campaign.

Pochettino, however, is at risk of losing Gallagher as an option as he continues to be linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge this month.

According to The Independent, Chelsea could be willing to sell the 23-year-old for £50m amid interest from London rivals Tottenham Hotspur.

His contract expires in 2025 and Chelsea can make pure profit from his sale, so the club will have a big decision to make if a £50m offer arrives.

Losing Gallagher would be a major blow for Pochettino. The Argentine clearly rates him highly after making him the captain in James and Chilwell’s absence.

The England player has also been a regular in the Premier League this season, making 19 starts. Leader or not, you can see Gallagher’s value to his manager just from that.