23 September 2023 , 17:08
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Mauricio Pochettino has revealed that Conor Gallagher was made Chelsea's "surprise" captain because he can speak better English than some of his colleagues.
Reece James and Ben Chilwell were appointed captain and vice-captain respectively this season following the departure of Cesar Azpilicueta. However, Gallagher was given the armband when Chelsea took on Bournemouth last week with James out injured and Chilwell on the bench.
It was a decision that shocked Gallagher, who had been heavily linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge over the summer, particularly given veteran defender Thiago Silva was also in the starting XI. "Against Bournemouth I had no idea I was captain," he said. "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."
And Pochettino has explained he is keen to "build something for the future" by giving the armband to Gallagher instead of Silva, while World Cup winning midfielder Enzo Fernandez is "struggling with his English". Speaking ahead of Chelsea's clash with Aston Villa, Pochettino said: "Thiago is an experienced player that doesn't need the armband and then I think it's important to build something for the future.
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"Not only the present but the future. He is there and the captain is not only to put the armband on your arm. Enzo is still struggling with his English.
"If we need to communicate with the referee and everything I think Conor can perfectly do the job and for me I prefer Conor than Enzo because I think Conor can speak normally, English.
"I think Enzo is still not ready to be a captain. It is not only because of character or personality or profile. It's about you need to communicate with the people and if you don't manage still the language properly you cannot be captain no? I don't know. Maybe I'm wrong but it's my opinion.
"He [Gallagher] was captain against Wimbledon also. He is supposed to be captain. It's nice. It is normal if you see the starting XI versus Bournemouth, he was also captain versus Wimbledon, it's not a big thing to create a party.
"He can be a captain. He is from Chelsea and it is perfect for him to represent the team."