Gallagher would not be starter under Maresca

Chelsea have explained to Conor Gallagher that he would not be a regular starter under Enzo Maresca with the Italian's possession-based approach.

The 24-year-old midfielder is believed to have told the Blues that he wanted to be a starter when negotiating a new contract in June, which he turned down because it was only a two-year-deal with an option for a further season.

The short length of the contract was deemed in the best interest of both parties when offered as Gallagher was not judged to be an ideal fit for Maresca's new approach.

It is believed the club offered Gallagher other contracts at various points down the years.

The England international will now decide whether to join Atletico Madrid or risk staying at Chelsea in a squad role after a bid of around £33m was accepted on Wednesday.

He has less than one year left on his current deal and could leave on a free transfer next summer.

Tottenham remain admirers but are not expected to challenge the Spanish club for his signature this month. Newcastle, West Ham and Everton also previously showed an interest in Gallagher.

Gallagher would stay at Chelsea on the right terms - the homegrown midfielder loves the club and believes he could make it work under new manager Maresca.

Chelsea have offered him three new deals to date and each came after bids from Premier League rivals, with the last coming after Aston Villa tried to sign him for £45m when he was reluctant to be part of a swap deal.

There are concerns Gallagher could be dropped from the first-team squad like Trevoh Chalobah, but he will not be part of the US tour simply as he was given an extended holiday after Euro 2024.