Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher has admitted he could not believe he was given the chance to captain Chelsea against Bournemouth.

“Against Bournemouth I had no idea I was captain,” Gallagher told Chelsea’s official website. “I didn’t think I would be, if I’m being honest.

“But I lifted up my kit to arrange it before I put it on and the armband was there. I said to the kitman, ‘Is this mine?’ and he said, ‘Yeah’, so that’s how I found out.

“To captain the side on a couple of occasions is really special. My parents are really proud too. There was no phone service in the changing room, so they didn’t get my message. They just saw me on the pitch with the armband, but I think that was a nicer surprise anyway.”

Gallagher added: “My dream was just to play for Chelsea, which I achieved. But then, like everyone in life, I set myself new targets. After I made my debut for Chelsea, then it was to play as many games as I can, then to start scoring more goals and getting more assists and just helping the team in that way. Hopefully there’s a lot more to come, but I’m proud of what’s happened so far.

“I was captain for the Under-18s a few years back so I kind of half-know the responsibility of captaining a team. I’m really grateful for what the Academy’s done for me over the last so many years and I’m very thankful. I wouldn’t be here without it, for sure.”