Enzo Maresca has told Chelsea star he will not include player in his senior leadership team: Reports

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has allegedly told Blues academy product Conor Gallagher that he will not include the midfielder in his leadership group next term.

Gallagher, who wore the captain's armband 30 times across all competitions in the 2023-24 season, has recently popped up as a potential sale for the Blues. The 24-year-old's deal will expire next June and his club are keen to earn cash to balance their books soon.

Hence, Chelsea have accepted an offer of around £33 million from Atletico Madrid for Gallagher, according to BBC. However, it is unclear whether the midfielder will enter contract talks with the La Liga outfit.

Now, according to TBR Football, Maresca has told Gallagher and his camp that he has no plans to consider the star as a part of his senior group. His decision is said to be heavily influenced by the Englishman's latest decision of turning down a two-year contract renewal.

Asked about Gallagher's future at Chelsea, Maresca replied (h/t TBR):

"To be honest, I do not know [anything]. We will see him when we go back there [to Cobham]. I know when I met the club for the first time that there was interest in him. Today, I was focused on the game [the 3-0 pre-season friendly win over Club America]."

Overall, the 18-cap England international has netted 10 goals and laid out as many assists in 95 games across all competitions for his club.

Chelsea target opens up on potential future

Speaking to The Telegraph, Murillo claimed that he is aiming to stay at Nottingham Forest amid recent links to Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur. The Brazilian said (h/t Metro):

"I need regular game time and really feel that with Forest, I'm in the best place for my career at the moment. Staying here for another season will enable me to mature as a player and eventually become better prepared if the chance ever comes to play at another level one day."

Opening up on his dream of playing top-level football, Murillo added:

"Of course, I want to eventually play in the Champions League. When I was growing up, I'd play video games and play with all those teams. Whenever I hear that classic music before the games, it moves me, and it would be a dream to play in that competition. But I've been focusing on my work 100 per cent and I want to do my best. Forest is a massive club in its own right and I feel good here."

Since leaving Corinthians for £10 million last August, the centre-back has recorded two assists in 36 outings for Nottingham Forest so far.

The Blues, on the other hand, have already signed a central defender this summer. They signed Tosin Adarabioyo on a free transfer in July.