There’s a sense of deja-vu when Conor Gallagher explains his reasons for joining Charlton this season.
Sent on-loan from Chelsea, the 19-year-old midfielder ventured to The Valley to work under Lee Bowyer in the hope of learning from the former Charlton, Leeds United, Newcastle United and West Ham man.
Josh Cullen, Jonny Williams, Krystian Bielik, and Joe Aribo all gave the manger glowing praise in how he helped with their midfield-game last season, with the latter two securing ‘big’ moves over the past summer.
Seeing the improvement in the players that came in on-loan last term, Gallagher and Chelsea, felt that SE7 was where he needed to be to take the next step in his career under the guidance of the manager with a growing reputation.
“I heard how Lee was and how he is with players, I’ve seen it already, how he is with me, he’s already taught me a lot and it’s only been two weeks,” Gallagher said.
“He knows what it’s like for us midfielders, he understands which helps us.
“He’s a great manager and he’ll help me a lot this season.
“Chelsea helped me sign so they obviously know it’ll be a good club for me.
“The aim is for me to get as much experience as possible in Championship football.
“I wanted to play in the Championship and felt I wanted to play a big part in the team and felt I could do that at Charlton.”
With Cullen and Williams both returning to the club in the transfer window along with Sam Field, Jonathan Leko, and Erhun Oztumer all joining up with the established players such as Darren Pratley, Jake Forster-Cakey, George Lapslie and Albie Morgan, Charlton’s midfield is not short of talent.
The competition for places however is only a good thing according to Gallagher, and having scored two goals in his last two games, there must be some truth in it.
“It’s good for all of us midfielder, it means you can never get too comfortable, you’ve always got a point to prove in every single game. You have to give everything because if we don’t there’s other midfielders who’ll take your place.
“I was hoping to get good minutes here and I’ve got off to great start, I couldn’t ask for more, but I’ll try my best to keep this run of form we’re in and get as many points as possible.”
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