Chelsea will assess Conor Gallagher this summer and wait to make a decision on his future amid Everton interest, according to reports.
Thomas Tuchel and Chelsea are yet to make a decision on what they plan to do with Gallagher this year as they embark on their pre-season tour in the United States.
There will be an opportunity to assess the Englishman and he should be handed a number of chances to impress.
At just 22-years-old, Gallagher is one of the most talented young players in the league and is on the radar of a lot of Premier League clubs.
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After successful loans at Charlton Athletic, Swansea City and West Bromwich Albion, the creative midfielder had his first real breakout season last year with Crystal Palace.
He scored a total of eight goals and tallied up three assists for the Eagles in the league last season and was voted as the Crystal Palace Player of the Season by the supporters.
His brace against Everton to seal a 3-1 win and dazzling display including a goal against Manchester City were just some of his highlights this season.
Returning from loan back to Stamford Bridge for now, Gallagher has a choice on his hands, to fight for regular first team football at Chelsea or go elsewhere and be a guaranteed starter.
If he opts to stay with the Blues he will face very strong competition from the likes of Mason Mount for minutes.
With Mount winning the last two Player of the Season awards at Chelsea and totalling 13 goals and 16 assists in all competitions last season, he is an integral part of Tuchel’s side's success.
With this in mind, Gallagher could consider a move away.
As reported by iNews, Frank Lampard’s Everton are looking to utilise the youth at Goodison Park and build a “young and hungry” squad for the upcoming season.
Gallagher is included in these plans, with Lampard keen to link up with the Chelsea man but he knows the Blues will only be dealing later in the window once they have made a decision on the young star.
Everton are also eyeing up another Chelsea player, Armando Broja, who is also coming off the back of his first season in the Premier League.
They will face heavy competition from other clubs though, with West Ham United currently looking a likely destination for the Albanian.
The Blues will not want to lose many more players this summer, as they need to retain some depth which has already been hindered.
While Gallagher would not be a nailed on starter, he would be a fantastic option for Tuchel to have at his disposal next season.
Topics: Conor Gallagher, Chelsea, Everton
Sam Collins