Sam Allardyce insists Conor Gallagher is better off staying at West Brom for another season because ‘LOSING most weeks is making him tougher and will stand him good stead,’ despite being set for first-team chances at Chelsea when he returns from loan
- Conor Gallagher is set to get a chance to prove himself at Chelsea next season
- The midfielder has impressed during his loan spell with struggling West Brom
- Sam Allardyce believes it would be beneficial for Gallagher to stay another year
- He said: ‘It makes you tougher and more determined when you lose every week’
Sam Allardyce has insisted that Chelsea youngster Conor Gallagher would be better off staying at West Brom for another season despite being set for an opportunity to prove himself at Stamford Bridge next term.
The 21-year-old has been a standout performer for struggling West Brom this season, starting in 22 of their league games, and has caught the eye of his boss back at Chelsea.
Thomas Tuchel reportedly has Gallagher is his plans for next season and is willing to give him game time when he returns from his loan spell at West Brom, who have lost 17 of their 29 league matches this season and currently find themselves 10 points cut adrift of safety in 19th position.
Conor Gallagher will reportedly be handed a chance to prove his worth at Chelsea next season
Gallagher is currently on loan at West Brom, where he has featured regularly and impressed
But Allardyce believes, for the sake of the midfielder’s development, that he could benefit from another season with West Brom because ‘losing most weeks is making him tougher and will stand him in good stead’.
Speaking about the England U21 star’s future ahead of this weekend’s trip to Chelsea, which Gallagher will be unavailable for as part of their loan agreement, Allardyce said: ‘If we stay in the Premier League, I’d hope he’d be here next season not at Chelsea.
‘I think he’d be better off having another season with us rather than the competition and size of Chelsea’s squad. I think his learning and development level has been improved.
Sam Allardyce said it’d be in the midfielder’s interest to stay at West Brom for another season
He believes losing week in, week out at West Brom will stand Gallagher in good stead
‘I’ve seen a good player since I’ve been here. I heard about how good he was before I came and think every day and every game he plays in the Premier League he gains more and more experience.
‘When you lose more than you win, which he’s experiencing for the first time, it makes you tougher, it makes you more determined. And at such a young age to get these disappointments week in and week out could only stand him in good stead about improving his career.’
Gallagher, who was part of the England U21 side that crashed out of the European Championships at the group stage after a 2-1 win over Croatia on Wednesday, himself admitted recently that he will learn from these tough experiences.
‘Everyone throughout their careers has a lot of tough moments,’ he said. ‘You experience losing and things like that and you improve. We as young players, no matter what, will get experience from it.
West Brom have lost 17 of their 29 league games this season and are 10 points from safety
He was part of England U21 side that crashed out of the European Championships this week
‘I was excited to play in the Premier League after a step up from Championship last season. I’ve loved every minute of it. Hopefully I’ll keep developing and improving. It’s been a tough season for West Brom so far, so doing the dirty side of the game, the importance of work off the ball [is important].
‘Premier League quality will punish you if you switch off, so you need to be concentrated and focused. I know people have other views on players going on loan and I’ve been at three different teams, but it’s three different experiences and teams with [different] styles, different managers and players.
‘I’ve learnt a lot already in two years. Hopefully I can continue to learn as a player.’
