Former Chelsea defender and now Crystal Palace player Marc Guehi has told Blues loanee Conor Gallagher to follow his career path in leaving Stamford Bridge permanently in the summer ahead of both potentially featuring for England in their friendly against Switzerland.
Both Guehi and Gallagher have taken to life in Croydon immediately, already becoming fan favourites amongst the Eagles' fanbase. Whilst the former of the pair moved permanently to Selhurst Park last summer, his compatriot only moved on loan to gain more first-team opportunities in the Premier League, following a spell at West Brom last season.
Consequently, as a result of consistent performances in defence and midfield respectively, both players have earned international call-ups for Gareth Southgate's side, who are in action during this mini-break against Switzerland and the Ivory Coast.
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The 22-year-old midfielder has already played in a few international games for the Three Lions already but this will be the first time Crystal Palace's No.6 could potentially don the famous white shirt of England. Speaking ahead of the game on Saturday evening, Guehi explained what he has done so far to try and sway his teammate to believe that his future lies in the red and blue of Palace instead of the blue of Chelsea, but did admit that it is Gallagher's decision on what is best for him in the long-term.
"I'm not someone that will completely convince you and try and win you over," Guehi admitted to Sky Sports. "But in his case, it's a matter of what's best for him like he has already said. I don't want to be that person that tells you to go somewhere but that doesn't end up working.
"I know Conor likes to be very close to home. His family is really important to him and whenever he does ask for my advice, I try to give him the best advice possible." He then added a cheeky follow up to what that advice would be: "Come to Palace!"
Patrick Vieira has admitted that he does not know where Gallagher's future lies, while Thomas Tuchel stated that talks will take place at the end of the season to see what the player and club wants. Meanwhile, Gallagher has outlined the extensive work the west Londoners do to ensure his growth is enhanced and monitored throughout this season.
" Chelsea talk to me and keep an eye on me," he told the Evening Standard. "They have loan staff who keep an eye on all the loan players so everyone feels like they’re still part of the club. They speak to me, and they say what they think you can improve on or what you’ve done well, so I’m very fortunate to have Chelsea. It’s nice.
"I haven’t thought about my future at all. I just take every game as it comes, so I’ve not thought too ahead at all. I think in the stage we’re in this season and where Palace are as a team we can’t afford to you know look too far into the future. We got a very important end of the season being in the quarterfinal of the FA Cup now and needing to get points as well, which is very important."
