Gareth Southgate hails model pro Conor Gallagher – but Chelsea midfielder holds unwanted Premier League record

CONOR GALLAGHER has been hailed as a model pro.

The midfielder has been one of Chelsea’s best players this season despite their crazy summer spending.

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Gallagher is looking to add to his ten international caps against Malta tonight and England manager Gareth Southgate said: “He has got tremendous drive. This week was a classic for me.

“He has come with a bit of a knock from the weekend but he walked through the door saying ‘it is a bit sore but I will be fine for Friday’.

"There was no way he was going home, there was no way he wasn't going to give himself every chance.

“He wasn't able to train for the first few days but he was determined he would be available and that, in a nutshell, is what is going to be one of his greatest strengths which will allow himself to achieve everything he might in the game because his mentality is outstanding.”

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Gallagher, who was a transfer deadline day target for Spurs, has thrived this season under Mauricio Pochettino in a more advanced role.

He has developed an aggressive streak as well, and has actually committed the most fouls of anyone in the top flight – 26.

Southgate added: “I think positionally, his best attributes lend himself to that either attacking eight or pressing as a 10 as he did for his club at the weekend.

“His pressing is probably as good as anyone in the League. He regained and recovered so many balls and in the final third he has a goal in him.

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"He hasn't achieved that this season with his club but we saw that with his spell at Crystal Palace and we saw that when he trained with us.

“So I think although, at times, he has played lower and can play lower, his best attributes are slightly higher as a midfield player, with pressing the counter press and the regains.

"But his receiving skills and his passing lower, when he receives, have definitely improved in the last six months as well.”

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