Marcelo Bielsa comments on £15m player that Leeds tried to sign in the summer

By Will Butcher

Marcelo Bielsa has praised the form of Crystal Palace ace Conor Gallagher ahead of Tuesday’s clash – a player Leeds tried to sign in the summer.

Gallagher, 21, joined Patrick Vieira’s Palace – the side Leeds face on Tuesday night – on loan from Chelsea in the summer. He has been excellent.

Even earning a place in the England side, the box-to-box midfielder has been sensational for Palace – having a hand in seven goals in 13 games.

The Chelsea ace has scored four and created three. Now, he comes up against a Leeds side he could so easily have been playing for this season.

Reports suggested that Leeds had a medical with Gallagher, though Phil Hay has denied as such. Hay does report on the Athletic that Leeds were keen.

Now, Bielsa has commented on the £15million-rated (Sun) star he wanted to sign in the summer – discussing his excellent form in a red and blue shirt.

“This quarter of a season has gone past and shown his influence in their game,” Bielsa told his press conference, as quoted by Leeds Live.

Bielsa on Gallagher: Leeds could really have done with Palace star

Gallagher is a brilliant midfielder and at 21, he is showing quality and promise expected of a player much older than he currently is.

His loan spells have got better and better. Impressing at Charlton, he sparkled at Swansea. Gallagher showed grit and work at West Brom.

Now, all of that is coming to fruition at Palace. He has a genuine chance of returning to Chelsea in the summer and being a part of the side.

Leeds lack midfielders and Gallagher would have been ideal. Now, Bielsa will have to work out how to stop the on-loan Chelsea ace.