Chelsea verdict on Aston Villa transfer target and boss ‘on borrowed time’

Aston Villa transfer target Conor Gallagher has received a glowing report from new Chelsea manager Graham Potter.

The former Brighton and Hove Albion manager has worked alongside the England midfielder over the last month following his appointment at Stamford Bridge.

Gallagher has played around 25 minutes of football since Potter’s appointment and scored his first senior goal in Saturday’s 2-1 win at Crystal Palace.

Things could have been different for Gallagher if Chelsea had acted on an enquiry they received from Villa as Steven Gerrard looked to take the midfielder on loan ahead of the end of the summer transfer window.

However, it is Potter that will enjoy Gallagher’s talent and the Blues boss is hoping to see the midfielder enjoy a ‘very successful career’ at Stamford Bridge.

“I really like Conor,” Potter said ahead of Wednesday night’s Champions League clash with AC Milan.

“He’s a fantastic kid and he’s desperate to do well, to play for this club, to be successful at Chelsea. I hope it’s just the start of a very successful Chelsea career for Conor Gallagher.”

Gallagher has revealed his determination to continue impressing his new manager in a bid to force his way into Potter’s starting eleven over the coming weeks.

He told the Evening Standard: “Ive got a really important role and I need to keep working hard, remembering who I am and what I am best at, and when given the chance to be as effective as I can be.

“I just need to keep impressing the manager. There’s a lot of top players in the Chelsea squad so it’s not going to be easy to get the game time I want.

“But I’m going to do my best to show that I’m ready and I want to be as effective as I can when given the opportunity.”

Meanwhile, former Villa managerial target Ralph Hasenhuttl is reportedly ‘on borrowed time’ at Premier League rivals Southampton.

The former Austrian international was under consideration by the Villa Park hierarchy after they parted company with Dean Smith in November 2021.

The Athletic have now reported Hasenhuttl could find himself out of work in the near future and revealed some players have voiced concerns over his management.