I was shocked to make England’s World Cup squad but now I know I belong with £100m stars, says Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher

CONOR GALLAGHER suffered with impostor syndrome at the World Cup.

When Gareth Southgate’s England squad landed in Qatar a year ago today, the midfielder was struggling with self-doubt and was surprised to be picked after a tough time at Chelsea.

Conor Gallagher no longer has impostor syndrome playing for EnglandGetty

Getty

The midfielder has transformed into a key player for Chelsea this season[/caption]

Even earlier this season, the doubts remained.

The West London club’s chaotic transfer policy meant his future was still up in the air on transfer deadline day, with Tottenham hoping to seal a deal.

Yet in the last couple of months Gallagher has really come of age under Mauricio Pochettino.

Despite Moises Caicedo joining in the summer for an initial £100million, with £106m star Enzo Fernandez having arrived in January, Gallagher has been Chelsea’s star performer in midfield and started all 12 Premier League games.

So there was certainly no shock when he was picked for this latest England squad, with Gallagher certain to add to his ten caps either against Malta on Friday or North Macedonia three days later.

As the 23-year-old sat down at St George’s Park yesterday afternoon, he was reminded of his comments made at England’s Al-Wakrah training base during the World Cup, where he failed to feature in a single game.

At the time, Gallagher said: “I didn’t expect to be called up. I was hoping there was a chance but I was a little bit surprised.

“I have not played consistent football with Chelsea and, as a team, Chelsea have not played great this season.”

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But now Gallagher is far more at ease with himself and on the pitch. He is brimming with self-confidence and determination.

Asked about that impostor syndrome, he confirmed: “That’s not the case any more.

“After the World Cup squad was announced, I wasn’t playing much for Chelsea and we were going through a tough period, so that’s why I said that in an interview.

“But I’m very confident in my ability and what I can do.

“Training and playing alongside midfielders worth £100m-plus at Chelsea is good and shows where I’m at as well.

“I am mentally more relaxed and ready to go and perform, whereas last season it was not really knowing if I was starting or not.

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“I was not really sure what was going on, what team we were going for, because of the number of players we had.

“Coming here now, I feel more relaxed, more into the squad and hopefully I can play more for England and be a bigger part of the squad.”

Quizzed on what he thought about Chelsea’s  summer spending spree in excess of £400m, which included Caicedo, he said: “I would be lying if I said I wasn’t fearing for my place.

“When top players come in your position, you think you have less of a chance of playing as much as you’d like.

“It makes you even more determined to prove to the manager why you are good enough to be playing as well. I have done that this season.

“It’s what comes with being at a top club like Chelsea, one of the best clubs in the world over the last 20-25 years. So that’s going to happen.

“There is always going to be competition for places, not just in midfield but all over the pitch.

“It was a crazy period in terms of ins and outs at Chelsea. I had conversations with the manager and he expressed he liked me as a player and I was in his plans, and I was really happy with that.

“A lot was going on in the summer, a big  transition in the club, a lot of players coming in, a lot of players leaving.

“I was lucky enough to stay and be a part of the manager’s plans. Whatever he wants me to do I have been doing and I will keep working as hard as possible for him.

“It is very important in football to have character and to prove people wrong and show how good you are. All the top teams have a lot of characters.”

After all that self-inflicted upheaval, Chelsea have been a slow-burner this season but it looks as though things are starting to come together under Pochettino, with the team drawing 4-4 in a crazy match against Manchester City on Sunday.

Gallagher, who hopes to extend his current deal at Stamford Bridge beyond its remaining 18 months, said: “At Chelsea, you want to challenge for titles — and in the Premier League we’re not quite there yet.

“So we’re aiming for top four, which is going be tough but that’s the stage we’re at and we’re good enough to do that. We’re definitely progressing as a team.”