Conor Gallagher has hit back at suggestions that Chelsea sold him to Atlético Madrid because they did not think the midfielder was technically good enough to play for Enzo Maresca. Although Gallagher was a key player for Mauricio Pochettino last season, his impressive form was not enough to stop his boyhood club from inviting offers for him this summer.
Chelsea could not agree a contract extension with the England international, whose deal was due to expire next year, and they excluded him from the first-team squad. There was no shortage of interest in Gallagher, who was targeted by Aston Villa and Tottenham, and he completed a £34m move to Atlético last month.
