Conor Gallagher has spoken highly of Chelsea since departing Stamford Bridge for Atletico Madrid last summer. The England international was a key player under Mauricio Pochettino during the 2023/24 season but the uncertainty surrounding his future was what dominated headlines.

Despite captaining the Blues on a number of occasions, in the absence of Reece James, minimal progress was made over a new contract for Gallagher with his deal set to expire in the summer of 2025. Following the departure of Pochettino, it soon became clear that Gallagher would also be leaving.

Though the arrival of Enzo Maresca could have changed things, his first verdict upon Gallagher's late return from Euro 2024 with England was telling. "Conor is back," he admitted in a press conference back in August. "He is training apart.

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"He is doing some medical tests and some training. He won't be involved in the game. At this moment, he is trying to find a solution with the club."

It soon emerged that Atletico Madrid was that solution with Gallagher eventually signing for Diego Simeone's side after his switch was stuck in limbo when Samu Omorodion's move to Chelsea from the Spanish capital collapsed. During his first few months with Atletico, Gallagher has impressed and is clearly enjoying his time at the club.

"I’ve felt very wanted and appreciated, which is important for any footballer," he admitted in late September, perhaps as a slight dig at his former club. "Chelsea are a huge football club, one of the biggest in the world, along with Atletico. But I have taken that exciting step of playing Champions League football and challenging for trophies.

"It just builds me with even more confidence and happiness to play my best football. I’m really happy to be here and I’m settling in well. I’ve loved my first few weeks. I knew Atletico was always a massive club, a top club in La Liga and doing well in the Champions League. So I was excited to join".

The 24-year-old has since contributed to three goals from 20 appearances in all competitions with Atletico losing just one La Liga game so far this season. Gallagher has now offered his thoughts on Chelsea, attributing their success partly to the great form they were in when he was still at the club.

Speaking to ESPN, he has now said: "I think the way Chelsea ended the season last season, we were winning many games, and the team had a lot of confidence. And they brought in some more players. The manager seems to have been brilliant and performing very well. So it doesn't surprise me, and I'm very happy for them."

Gallagher may even have the chance to see some of his former teammates and show Maresca exactly how good he is with both Atletico and Chelsea having earnt a spot in next summer's Club World Cup which takes place in the United States.

Before that however, Chelsea are on course to challenge for several trophies having won their last eight games in all competitions which has placed them second in the Premier League table, two points behind leaders Liverpool.

The Blues also finished top of the Conference League standings and now head into a favourable run of fixtures, starting with a trip to Everton on Sunday.