HEART OF GOLD
Chelsea academy star Conor Gallagher overcame heart problem to force way into Lampard’s first ever Blues team before loan move to Charlton
CONOR GALLAGHER is the "standout" star of Chelsea's academy who has been loaned to Charlton for the season.
And yet it was only last year that the 19-year-old's career was in jeopardy as he underwent surgery on his heart.
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Gallagher, a winger-turned-midfielder, has been with the Blues since the age of SIX yet only came to prominence in the past two years.
He starred in the development team under Frank Lampard's new assistant Joe Edwards last year, and was taken on pre-season to Ireland.
Edwards has been promoted by Lampard with the job of integrating young Chelsea talent into the first-team.
And Edwards is a huge of the midfielder with long locks.
That Gallagher was awarded academy player of the year in May was testament to his character after an early season shock.
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While on duty with England Under-18s last summer, routine checks discovered Gallagher had a heart condition.
Minor surgery quickly resolved the issue but cost the youngster the time to prepare for the upcoming campaign.
"It cost Conor his whole pre-season but he bounced back in the way you’d expect because his mentality is solid and he’s just a fighter," Edwards told .
"It’s that desire and energy that have been so important for us because we’ve had to fight a lot this season, particularly in the Uefa Youth League knockout stages, and he’s been our catalyst.
"He’s a good player technically but that heart and physical capability to keep pushing himself have set him apart."
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Gallagher is a local boy, born in Surrey and part of a family of footballers.
His two brothers were also in the academy at Cobham but only Conor progressed.
He signed a scholarship deal with the Blues in 2016, before winning the Academy Scholar of the Year award in 2017 after a superb season under then academy boss Jody Morris that won the U-18 Premier League and the FA Youth Cup.
Such talent was noticed on the international stage as he was called up to the England Under-17 squad for the World Cup.
Gallagher was victorious in India alongside Blues team-mates Callum Hudson-Odoi, George McEachran, Marc Guehi and Jonathan Panzo.
MAUR TIME
His impressive performances and remarkable rise both with England and Chelsea's development squad caught the eye of Maurizio Sarri.
The Italian coach, now departed for Juventus, took Gallagher to Baku for the Europa League final, as well as the 'Final Whistle on Hate' friendly against New England Revolution.
It was in Boston that Gallagher made his first senior appearance, replacing the injured Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
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Sarri showed faith in the exciting youngster.
Expectation was that Gallagher would be sent on loan this season to further his development.
But with Lampard promising to show faith in youth, Gallagher could be at the heart of the first-team sooner than you think.
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Frank Lampard gives his first press conference as Chelsea manger
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