‘He can play box-to-box like him’ — Joe Cole reveals Chelsea player can be the next Kovacic at Chelsea
Former Chelsea player Joe Cole has hailed the quality of Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher who’s currently on loan with Crystal Palace.
However, after a stint on loan with West Brom last season, Gallagher moved to Palace during the summer for a season long loan deal with Patrick Vieira’s side.
Gallagher has impressed massively on loan, and even Blues boss Thomas Tuchel has recently revealed how happy he is with the young midfielder.
Joe Cole even believes Gallagher is currently ahead of another young Blues midfielder Billy Gilmour and also backed Gallagher to displace Mateo Kovacic, as he claims that the young midfielder has goals to his game.
Cole told JOE: “He can play box-to-box, No.8, he can play with his back to goal, he could play as a No.10.”
“He’s better as a No.8/box-to-box and he could even play at Chelsea where Kovacic plays, but he would score more goals than [Mateo] Kovacic.
“Chelsea won’t sell him, Chelsea ain’t silly. Him and [Billy] Gilmour who is out on loan at Norwich. He’s probably gone above Billy because of what he’s done. He’s gone on loan and done it, he’s such a talent.
“He was at West Brom last year and he’s gone through the process. Chelsea have a process where they send the boys out on loan. Mason [Mount] went six months in Holland, a year at Derby and into the first-team.
“They can’t get Gallagher back until the end of the season, but he’ll be one for next season.
“Nice kid, great attitude, great player. He’s going to be a special player.”