Gallagher 'focusing on England' amid club future

Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher says he is only "focusing on England" at Euro 2024 amid reports he could leave his boyhood club this summer.

Gallagher has been linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge, as Chelsea look to offload players in order to navigate the Premier League's strict profit and sustainability rules.

The 24-year-old took over as Chelsea captain from the injured Reece James for the majority of last season and impressed to earn a spot at his second major tournament with England.

“I'm a Chelsea player right now and I'm just thinking about England and the tournament." said Gallagher, who was also selected for the 2022 Qatar World Cup.

"I've just been focusing on England and this is the most important thing right now for me, for the country. I just want to start the tournament now."

“We have a game in three days, so certainly that is all I'm worried about and trying to be as ready as I can and as the team can be for that game."

Gallagher featuring in 37 out of 38 league games under former boss Mauricio Pochettino, scoring five Premier League goals and registering seven assists.

Despite Chelsea ending the season strongly with five wins in a row to earn a sixth-placed finish, Pochettino departed and has been replaced by Enzo Maresca, who helped Leicester City win promotion back to the top flight.

Gallagher said he was "sad" to see Pochettino depart but "excited" to work under Maresca, a former assistant to Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.

"Of course, he has done so much for me so I was sad, for him and coaching staff, but I am really excited about the new manager [Enzo Maresca] coming in. Myself and everyone at Chelsea are really excited to work with him."

England start their Euro 2024 campaign on Sunday against Serbia before they face Denmark on 20 June and Slovenia on 25 June in their other Group C games.