Conor Gallagher: England star Bukayo Saka is a 'special player'

<p>Bukayo Saka's England team-mate Conor Gallagher believes the Arsenal man will keep getting better after his hat-trick heroics.</p>

<p>Saka took home the match ball after hitting three in Monday's 7-0 thrashing of North Macedonia at Old Trafford on Monday night, a result which leaves England on the cusp of securing Euro 2024 qualification.</p>

<p>The 21-year-old's second strike was the pick of the bunch as a brace for captain Harry Kane, a Marcus Rashford finish and Kalvin Phillips' first England goal wrapped up a fine win in the last game of a long season.</p>

<p>It was a campaign which also saw Saka score three goals at the World Cup, with the progression of the Arsenal ace coming as no shock to Gallagher.</p>

<p>"I played with Bukayo since, I think, the Under-19s," the Chelsea midfielder said.</p>

<p>"Even then you could see that he would become a top player and to see how he has progressed until now has been amazing and I am sure he is going to get even better.</p>

<p>"He is a special player and to get a hat-trick was amazing for him. He had an amazing performance. He is right up there (with the best) and he is only getting better.</p>

<p>"I think he is a very exciting talent with an exciting future and we are looking forward to seeing where it takes him."</p>

<p>While Saka flourished over the course of a season in which he starred for club and country, Gallagher endured a difficult year at Stamford Bridge.</p>

<p>The 23-year-old featured in all-but three of Chelsea's Premier League games but it was a season to forget for the Blues as they finished a lowly 12th.</p>

<p>Gallagher - who has been linked with a move away with the likes of Brighton reportedly interested - insists he is looking forward to working under new Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino and retaining his place in Gareth Southgate's England squad.</p>

<p>"I love Chelsea," he added. "It has been a tough season for me and the whole team so I think we will just be working hard to get us back to where we belong.</p>

<p>"I am always grateful to be here and for Gareth to have that trust in me despite it being a tough season for both me and Chelsea. I am really happy he has shown that trust in me still and I

think he knows I will work as hard as I can no matter what to give my best.</p>

<p>"I just need to keep working hard and get a bit of my confidence back in a way, I didn't lose it but I need to get a rhythm of playing more games, score more goals and I am trying to reach that stage.</p>

<p>"(Pochettino) is a top manager, everyone at Chelsea is happy he's here and we're looking forward to working with him."</p>

<p>The article <a href="https://www.planetsport.com/soccer/news/conor-gallagher-england-star-bukayo-saka-special-player">Conor Gallagher: England star Bukayo Saka is a 'special player' </a> appeared first on Planetsport.com.</p>