Former Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher has wasted no time settling in at Atletico Madrid, but not without throwing a subtle dig at his former club.
The 24-year-old, who was once a key player for the Blues, says he now feels "wanted and appreciated" in Madrid, something he subtly hints was missing at Stamford Bridge.
After being pushed out by Chelsea’s new head coach, Enzo Maresca, Gallagher secured a move to Atletico Madrid—though the transfer almost fell through at one point.
Now, Gallagher is thriving in La Liga, where he's earned the nickname "pitbull" for his relentless style of play.
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Gallagher finds new confidence in Spain
Speaking to The Athletic, Gallagher opened up about his fresh start at Atletico Madrid. “I’ve felt very wanted and appreciated, which is important for any footballer,” he said. While acknowledging Chelsea’s stature, he made it clear that moving to Atletico was a step up in his career.
“Chelsea are one of the biggest clubs in the world, but I’m excited to play Champions League football and challenge for trophies with Atletico.”
The Englishman also embraced his new "pitbull" moniker, which was given to him by Atletico fans. "Some people in England called me a dog because of how I run after every ball like a dog in the park. Atletico took it from there, and I don’t mind. It’s a compliment," he added with a grin.
Gallagher, who captained Chelsea last season, scored his first goal for Atletico last weekend. He feels this new chapter will allow him to kick on in his career, aiming for more success with the Spanish giants.
Next up, Gallagher is set to make his Champions League debut for Atletico against RB Leipzig, followed by a La Liga clash against Rayo Vallecano.
