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England manager, Gareth Southgate has claimed that Conor Gallagher will be a great player because of his strong mentality.

Gallagher is one of three Chelsea players that were called-up by Southgate for the Three Lions’ upcoming European Championship qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia.

Southgate however claims that the Chelsea midfielder arrived at the national team camp with a minor injury, but instead of taking an exit, he decided to stay and work to be fit ahead of his side’s match with Malta on Friday.

Not many would have believed Gallagher will be a key Chelsea player this season, but the Cobham graduate has grown in stature – but his growth was less rapid compared to the likes of Mason Mount and Reece James who broke into the Chelsea and England squad much quicker.

“His journey is really interesting, because with some of our players who have come into the squad young, their talent has been obvious and you would probably have picked them up at 15, 16 or 17,” the England boss said about Gallagher.

“But Conor is perhaps a slower burner in terms of how external people might have viewed him.

“He has got tremendous drive. This week is a classic for me. He has come with a bit of a knock from the weekend, but he walked through the door saying, ‘It is a bit sore, but I will be fine for Friday’.

“There was no way he was going home, there was no way he wasn’t going to give himself every chance.

“He wasn’t able to train for the first few days, but he was determined he would be available — and that, in a nutshell, is what is going to be one of his greatest strengths which will allow himself to achieve everything he might in the game. His mentality is outstanding.”