da cassino： Mauricio Pochettino has played down Conor Gallagher's admission that he "loves" playing for the Argentine coach at Chelsea.

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Gallagher a key player for ChelseaEnjoying playing under PochettinoCoach not involved in extension talksWHAT HAPPENED?

The midfielder showed his importance to Pochettino's team again on Wednesday when he came off the bench to score the winning goal in their FA Cup fifth round clash against Leeds. However, Pochettino refused to take sole credit for his influential displays for the Blues.

AdvertisementGettyWHAT POCHETTINO SAID

Asked about Gallagher's "love" of playing under the Argentine, Pochettino said at a press conference: "I want to clarify this because some coaching staff could become jealous. When he says Poch, he means the whole coaching staff and the club. He loves to play for the club, he loves to play for this coaching staff. He made this reference to Poch because it's easy to say, but not to play for Jesus [Perez, assistant coach], Toni [Jimenez, goalkeeping coach], Miguel [d'Agostino], Sebastiano [Pochettino], for many of the staff at the club."

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Gallagher is contracted to the Stamford Bridge club until the summer of 2025 and is in talks to sign an extension, though it has been reported that no progress has been made in negotiations. The 24-year-old has decided he wants to stay at the club, but Pochettino says he has no role in convincing him to pen a new deal.

"That is about two parts that need to be agreed and I cannot be involved in this," he added. "It's only between the club and Conor that can make the deal. I am the coach that needs to be in my place. I cannot say nothing."

Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR GALLAGHER?

Gallagher has made more Premier League starts – 24 – than any other player in the Chelsea squad this season. He will likely be in the starting XI again when they visit Brentford in the league on Saturday.