In Focus: Blues must convince leader Gallagher to sign new deal

Conor Gallagher has rescued a Chelsea career that looked to be all but over. 

The Blues were reportedly willing to offload the 23-year-old in the summer but he has since established himself as a vital part of Mauricio Pochettino's team.

Ahead of Chelsea's Premier League match against Brentford on Saturday, we take a look at how Gallagher has turned things around — and what the future holds for him.

Captain fantastic

Gallagher looked likely to leave Chelsea right up until transfer deadline day with reports claiming the Blues would be prepared to accept an offer of £50million. 

Despite a number of Premier League clubs being interested in the 23-year-old, no formal bid was received. 

Though the Chelsea hierarchy were willing to cash in on the academy product, Pochettino seems happy to have the player still within his squad. 

He has started Gallagher in all nine Premier League games this term and picked the England international as his captain for the Carabao Cup tie against Wimbledon in August.

Gallagher has since skippered the side on four occasions in the Premier League, which included the 2-2 draw with Arsenal over the weekend. 

With Reece James still trying to regain fitness and Ben Chilwell injured, he could retain the armband for the game against Brentford. 

Work ethic

After the draw with Arsenal, Gallagher spoke about the challenge of establishing himself as a first-team regular at Chelsea.

He said: "Yeah, I love it. I think most times in my career I've had a point to prove and I love the challenge and I always want new challenges and targets to set myself. 

"So I just want to carry on what I'm doing now and help Chelsea climb up the table. The manager picks his team and we have good relationship. 

"He understands my game, he understands what I bring to the team and right now I think it's really working, so hopefully we can only get better. 

"It is really important to have that fighting spirit as well and I think I try to bring that to the team. 

"I always work as hard as I can and I try and rub that off on the other players as well. 

"You could see that because everyone gave their all, everyone was brilliant in terms of work ethic." 

Contract talks

Chelsea's apparent desire to sell Gallagher always seemed strange given that he is ideally suited to Pochettino's tactical plan. 

The manager is famed for his energetic, high-pressing style and the 6ft midfielder has been vital in making it work.

Forming a central trio with Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez, Gallagher is the most advanced of the three. 

He is a constant menace when the opposition are in possession thanks to his work rate, ranking fourth among Premier League midfielders for tackles this season.

Chelsea could not persuade him to commit to a new contract in the summer and Tottenham were in talks to buy him, while Liverpool and Newcastle have been linked in recent weeks.

But with Gallagher now an established leader at Stamford Bridge, the Blues stand a better chance of securing him to a long-term deal.

If not, his form this season could see their rivals return with concrete interest.