Chelsea boss Maresca would like to keep Gallagher at Stamford Bridge

Enzo Maresca says he would like to keep Conor Gallagher at Chelsea and hopes the England international’s future is sorted soon.

Gallagher has been heavily linked with a move to Atletico Madrid amid reports Maresca has doubts the midfielder will be able to implement his possession-heavy style of football.

But the former Leicester City boss said Gallagher has been offered a new contract at Stamford Bridge and that talks were continuing.

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Speaking on the club’s pre-season tour of the United States, Maresca said: “The only thing I can say is I know he is in contact with the club to find a solution.

“The club offered him a new contract. But this is, at the moment, the only news I received.

“In football, every summer, different clubs have some problems with some players and then at the end, they find a solution and everyone is happy. Hopefully the same can happen in this situation.

“The squad we have, they are all players that if they are in the squad, I will do my best to try to use them and help them to understand the way we want to play.”

Asked if he would like to keep the 24-year-old, he added: “I would like to have all of them.

“If you ask the same question to the other managers, they will answer the same. It’s the same problem as always.

“Until the transfer window isn’t open, anything can happen, to bring players or sell players. Unfortunately, until the last day, something can happen.

“The main focus in this moment for the club, for Conor and for me is they are going to find a solution. This is the main target.”