Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino has praised the impact of midfielder Conor Gallagher.

The academy product was consistently linked with an exit in the January transfer window.

However, he remained committed to the club and scored twice on Monday night in a 3-1 win over Crystal Palace.

Post-game, Pochettino stated: "He's a player with great commitment with the team. Always trying to compensate every situation in an offensive and defensive situation and that is priceless to have a player like him.

"I'm so happy for him and I'm so happy for the team because it's a victory we needed, the three points. Yes, to confirm the reaction after Wolverhampton, it was a very good game against Aston Villa and it was a great opportunity.

"If you ask me if I'm really happy about the performance; I'm 50-50 because the first-half, the performance was not the way we should start the game. That is the consistency we need to build. I try and explain in every single press conference that we need time."

He then added on Gallagher staying: "What he told me was to stay at Chelsea. But then it's about him and the club.

“But I'm not suffering with this type of thing; he still has one year more on his contract. But I think that is a matter for him and the club."