Patrick Vieira has described Conor Gallagher as a “manager’s dream” with the finishing of a Frank Lampard.
The Chelsea loanee scored twice for Crystal Palace in Sunday’s 3-1 win over Everton, including a contender for Goal of the Month.
Gallagher, 21, is now the Eagles’ outright top goalscorer for the campaign with six so far in the Premier League.
Vieira also reckons the starlet has the passion of another former Premier League star, ex-Arsenal midfielder Ray Parlour, as part of an exciting package.
Speaking ahead of Palace’s game at home to Southampton on Wednesday, boss Vieira said: “It is a manager’s dream to have a player like Conor.
“When he is on the field, he will give everything. He is focused, he is concentrating and always gives his best. That is something that for me it’s really important.”
Does Conor Gallagher deserve a place in Thomas Tuchel's Chelsea squad next season? Have your say in the comments!
“Conor has this passion for the game when he is on the field like a Ray Parlour, but I would say he has maybe the quality finishing of a Frank Lampard.
“It is a manager’s dream to have a player like Conor because when he is on the field, he will give everything.
“He is focused, concentrated and will always give his best. This is something that for me is really important.”
Sunday’s Man of the Match display sparked calls for Gallagher to be recalled to Chelsea by boss Thomas Tuchel. The Blues are struggling with injuries and Civid-Related absences.
But Vieira believes Gallagher is extending his learning curve with regular first-team action and the ability to express himself at Selhurst Park.
The Frenchman went on: “Something I can tell you is that at his age what is important is to play week-in, week-out.
“Obviously you make a career not just based on your talent but by the decisions that you make and he has had so many clubs behind him.
“He makes the right decision because he is playing, he is playing well and he is surrounded by people at this football club who look after him really well.
“People who give him that confidence to express himself. It is a win-win. It is good for us to have a player like that because he is a talented young player. “And on the other side he makes the right decision coming to us, because we are delivering everything that he was hoping for.
“Now what is important is to maintain those performances. We are allowing him to go to a different level.”
