Former Newcastle United striker Alan Shearer is backing West Bromwich Albion loanee Conor Gallagher to force his way into Chelsea head coach Thomas Tuchel's thoughts this summer.
Gallagher, who turned 21 in February, has made some encouraging strides in his debut season as a Premier League player, joining the Baggies on loan from Chelsea at the start of the season.
The central-midfielder, who can almost do a little bit of everything in the centre of the park, has been one of the Baggies' star performers this season, frequently attracting praise from Chelsea supporters who have kept a close eye on his progress.
Last season, Gallagher spent time on loan in the Championship, having spells with both Charlton Athletic and Swansea City. During those two spells, the midfielder scored six goals and claimed 11 assists in 45 Championship appearances.
This term, he has scored twice and registered two assists, performing well at times for the Baggies as they look to try and avoid an immediate return to the Championship.
Although the former Swansea loanee has not yet applied his trade for a side near the top of the Premier League, Shearer has been impressed by what he has seen from the youngster, insisting he will creep into Tuchel's thought process ahead of the start of next season.
"The next player under our microscope is Conor Gallager," Shearer told the Premier League's official YouTube channel. "This young man has caught the eye with a number of performances for struggling West Brom.
"An exciting midfield prospect, Gallagher is West Brom’s leading ball winner, and he even has a decent cross on him. He whipped in a wicked ball for [Mbaye] Diagne against Man United also getting an assist for [Kyle] Bartley as the Baggies got a win against Brighton.
"The lad’s also got quality and confidence going forward.
"I think the young man is having a positive season at West Brom, but if he can do that week in week out is another matter, but he will certainly give Thomas Tuchel a headache in the summer."
Earlier this month, Tuchel sent a message in Gallagher's direction, urging him to remain focused on helping the Baggies try and avoid an immediate return to the Championship and not think about what opportunities could potentially lie ahead at Stamford Bridge next season.
"It is not only my decision, it his responsibility to show up and this is what he does," Tuchel told Chelsea's club website.
"It is not the moment to take decisions now for Conor but I am very aware that he is still our player.
"The momentum now is that we have crucial weeks ahead of us, and for him and his mission at West Brom also.
"So he fought his way through as a loan player which is very impressive and he never stops improving. He is a very regular player for West Brom and I wish that he can stay totally focused on that and when it is the moment and the situation to decide, we will decide - but it is clearly not now."
