Conor Gallagher explains decision to sign for Crystal Palace, over Leeds United

By Will Butcher

Conor Gallagher made his first start for Crystal Palace on Saturday afternoon as Patrick Vieira picked up his first point as gaffer. The Eagles drew with newly-promoted Brentford, with Gallagher hitting the bar. The Chelsea loanee has explained why he chose to overlook Leeds for Palace.

A report from 90Min claimed towards the end of July that 21-year-old Gallagher actually underwent a medical at Elland Road. That is, before choosing to remain in the capital and join Palace. He has moved to Palace on a season-long loan, which the report claims angered Leeds.

The £15million-rated (Sun) midfielder was excellent for Swansea and then did well at West Brom despite relegation. Little surprise, then, that the likes of Palace and Leeds wanted him. But talking after Palace’s 0-0 draw with Brentford, Gallagher stated it was Patrick Vieira that convinced him.

“I liked what Vieira was saying. I feel like it suited me very nicely and like I could express myself the best here,” Gallagher said when asked about Leeds, as per the Independent. “He wants me to do what I do best, which is basically all I want to hear. He knows the type of player I am.

“He knows that I want to get up and down the pitch and just play with freedom. That definitely helped persuade me. Obviously he was a top player back in the day and he is a top manager as well, so I am very excited to work with him this season.”

Gallagher right to choose Palace over Leeds

Realistically, Palace’s massive turnover of players means that Gallagher’s chances of game time was always going to be much larger, than at Leeds. The Whites boast Stuart Dallas, Mateusz Klich, Rodrigo, Jamie Shackleton and more options in the middle of the park.

Gallagher would not be starting the second match of the season at Elland Road. Clearly, being a London boy, he would rather work under Arsenal legend Vieira – and not Bielsa. Leeds fans will have their say on that, but Palace boss Vieira is clearly an attractive option – including Gallagher.