Marina Granovskaia has been reassured that Conor Gallagher won't jeopardise Chelsea's summer transfer makeover mission upon his return.
The 22-year-old has enjoyed a superb loan spell at Crystal Palace this season, directly contributing towards ten goals in just 21 Premier League appearances.
Gallagher's dazzling displays have already caught the eye of Gareth Southgate, having won his first senior England cap off the bench in a ten-goal demolition of San Marino in November.
The Chelsea loanee has also earned the attention of Thomas Tuchel, who has plans to 'thrust' him into the Blues' first-team plans next season, according to the Evening Standard.
However, despite having etched himself into the Blues' plans next season, the world champions are debating as to whether Gallagher's inclusion will block the club's pursuit of Declan Rice and Aurélien Tchouaméni, as per the aforementioned report.
So, Daniel Childs spoke to football.london's Crystal Palace correspondent Mark Wyatt live on the Carefree Chelsea 'Behind Enemy Lines' show to delve into the loanee's time at Selhurst Park.
Wyatt began by outlining how the Cobham graduate has taken the next step towards becoming a piece of Thomas Tuchel's puzzle, noting how lucky Palace have been to snatch the youngster from Leeds United's grasp.
"Interestingly, it's goals that he's added to his game that has elevated it," he said. "I think a lot has been said in previous years, last season especially.
"You saw at Swansea but a lot under Sam Allardyce as well at West Brom, he's ridden out the rough and the smooth but he's a ferocious player full of energy, so that was never in question.
"That's the reason why Leeds wanted him; Marcelo Bielsa was really interested in taking him on loan. Instead, obviously, he came to Crystal Palace and he's fit that mould perfectly of a high energy player that the crowd can get behind - naturally, he's lovable."
Wyatt then explained how Gallagher's superb displays for the Eagles have handed Chelsea an easy decision to make in the summer, alluding to how youngster's goalscoring tendencies shouldn't block a £104m midfield makeover, evaluated by Transfermarkt.
"You shouldn't fall in love with them but you do," he said. "There was a big crossroads for Connor Gallagher this season; I think if he faded into obscurity and fell out of favour, maybe didn't get a run of games then potentially, there was every chance that Chelsea would've looked to sell.
"I think as soon as he hit the ground running - Brentford at home was his first performance and Thomas Frank changed things at half-time just to cope with Connor Gallagher.
"Then came West Ham away, two goals in the second half - it was almost at that moment there was almost no chance."
Wyatt referenced Gallagher's allegiance to Chelsea as not only a player but a fan also, adding how the combination of the two and an England call-up poises him nicely for an exciting career in west London.
"Conor's a Chelsea fan, he came through the academy and I think everyone knows in their heart of hearts that he is destined to go on to do great things," he said.
"The England call up came at a great time for him as well and it was really rewarding of that incredible early season form.
"He's tailed off a little bit of late, there's no doubt in that but, in terms of where he's headed, I think Chelsea will carry on talking about him for a lot longer than Crystal Palace, unfortunately!"
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