Conor Gallagher no longer suffers from imposter syndrome. The Chelsea midfielder, who was as astonished as anybody to be included in England’s World Cup team last year, now feels at home on both the club and international levels.

Gallagher told reporters a year ago that he was not planning on attending the World Cup. This remark betrayed a player who lacked confidence and stability as a result of the constant personnel shifts at Chelsea.

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The vicissitudes of time. With 14 starts in 15 games this season, Gallagher has become an important cog for Chelsea. He has even taken over as captain in the absence of Reece James and Ben Chilwell. The 23-year-old has authority to spare thanks to Mauricio Pochettino’s support. To prove his confidence, Gallagher towered over a helpless Rodri at the end of Chelsea’s 4-4 draw with Manchester City last Sunday. Gallagher has won the ball more than any other player in Europe’s top seven divisions this season.

“That’s not the case any more,” Gallagher said on Tuesday at England’s St. George’s Park training facility. I wasn’t getting much playing time for Chelsea when the World Cup selection was announced, and we were going through a bad patch, so that’s why I made that comment in an interview. But I have faith in my own abilities. Having the opportunity to hone my skills alongside other midfielders who are valued over 100 million pounds is a huge confidence booster.

Gallagher seems confident and ready to start Friday’s Euro 2024 qualifying game between England and Malta. He made no bones about the fact that he could have departed Chelsea during the offseason. After the arrivals of Moisés Caicedo (£115m), Roméo Lavia (£58m), and Enzo Fernández (£106.8m), Bayern Munich, and West Ham were all interested in signing Gallagher.

As Gallagher put it, “it’s what comes with being at a top club like Chelsea.” ‘I suppose I was mildly enthused. But I had to be prepared to prove to the boss that I was still worthy of playing for this squad.

England’s roster for the upcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia has been reduced by two more players: Jude Bellingham and Levi Colwill. Shoulder injuries forced both Bellingham and Colwill to miss the weekend’s games against Real Madrid and Chelsea.

“The pair arrived at St George’s Park for assessments on Monday but will now return to their clubs to continue their rehabilitation,” according to the FA. “Meanwhile, Marcus Rashford and Kalvin Phillips will meet up later this week owing to personal matters.”

The departures of James Maddison, Callum Wilson, and Lewis Dunk were preceded by their own. Despite the additions of Ezri Konsa, Rico Lewis, and Cole Palmer on Monday, Gareth Southgate has decided not to call up any more players.

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Former Crystal Palace, Charlton, and Swansea loanee Gallagher dominated against the champions. He is ready to figure out his future after recording four assists in the league this season. His contract with Chelsea will be up for renewal in the summer of 2025, and the club is eager to offload players in their final seasons of employment. Eventually, “I’m sure that will get sorted out,” Gallagher added.

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Pochettino’s desire to make use of Gallagher’s pressing and intensity is helpful. Regular football is helping him flourish in a more advanced role, where he has been able to form strong links with Caicedo and Fernández. “Going into games half-expecting to be starting is a good feeling,” Gallagher remarked. I’ve calmed down and am ready to give it my all.

“Last season it was not really knowing if I was starting or not, not really sure what was going on, what team we were going for, because of the number of guys we have. Since arriving here, I’ve felt more at ease and a part of the team. I’d love to have a larger role for England and play more games.

Gallagher, who did not play a significant role for England at the World Cup, started last month’s win over Australia. There is an open roster spot in the middle of the field for Gareth Southgate’s team. At the European Championship next summer, Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice will almost certainly start. Gallagher is pushing despite the fact that Jordan Henderson, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Kalvin Phillips all raised their hands.

Gallagher feels at home at Chelsea. He acknowledges that by playing him higher up the field, Pochettino is maximizing his potential. Gallagher is happy to be on Pochettino’s team. The Argentine reached out to him and started a conversation about life. The thought of leaving Chelsea crosses Gallagher’s mind. There were a lot of people coming and going during that time, he claimed. I’d spoken with the manager, and he said I was a player he was interested in. I was incredibly delighted.”

And it’s no surprise. Gallagher was up in a Chelsea-supporting household and attended the club’s youth development program. The fans of Chelsea do not want Gallagher to leave, despite the club’s efforts to improve its financial fair play position over the past year by selling local players. He is proving his detractors wrong. He’s trying to prove himself right.