Last summer, Conor Gallagher made the move to Atlético Madrid from Chelsea for €42 million — one of the highest fees ever paid by a European club for an English player. Only Harry Kane’s €95 million transfer to Bayern Munich and Tammy Abraham’s €41 million move to Roma in 2021 exceeded this sum. Gallagher is now tied with Ivan Toney, who moved to Al-Ahli for the same price earlier this year. The transfer drew mixed reactions, as Chelsea fans reluctantly accepted that Financial Fair Play regulations forced the club’s hand.
A year into his Atlético Madrid career, Gallagher looks back on a season filled with highs and lows. In 49 appearances across all competitions, the midfielder scored four goals and registered six assists. However, full 90-minute performances were rare — he started only 19 of 32 LaLiga games, clocking up 1,633 minutes. Even at the FIFA Club World Cup, Gallagher came off the bench in Atlético’s 4-0 defeat to PSG and their 3-1 victory over the Seattle Sounders.
When asked about his time so far, Gallagher was upbeat but honest:
“It’s been good because I had the opportunity to play for such an amazing club. It’s brilliant, and I want to contribute as much as I can. Hopefully, I can play more than I did in my first year, so I just need to keep working hard.”
He also acknowledged the challenges of adapting to a new environment:
“I’ve learned so much, and I’m really excited to continue improving to help the club.”
Gallagher: Club World Cup as a Global Showcase
Gallagher also reflected on Atlético’s FIFA Club World Cup experience, noting how it helped him grow. Despite a tough defeat to PSG and a hard-fought win over Seattle Sounders — played in front of over 50,000 fans — Gallagher relished the tournament.
“Really good atmosphere. Fair play to the other team; they played really well. It was tough, and the fans were fantastic. We really enjoyed playing in such a great environment,” he said.
Gallagher praised the tournament’s global stage:
“This tournament is great because it allows teams from around the globe to show how good they are. You could see the high level of play, and I believe it’s a fantastic tournament to be part of.”
For Gallagher, the FIFA Club World Cup was also an opportunity to showcase his abilities — and make a case for an even more prominent role at Atlético Madrid next season.