Chelsea midfielder Gallagher: Vieira and Palace were good for me

Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher values the time he had on-loan with Crystal Palace.

Palace visit Chelsea later tonight.

Gallagher told the Chelsea match programme: "It was an amazing time, an amazing season. They helped me improve a lot as a player and a person. I'm very thankful and I look back at my memories there with joy, so I'm very grateful to the club.

"Patrick Vieira helped me a lot that season and the way he played allowed me to show the best version of myself on the pitch. That's why it was a good season, individually.

"It gave me a lot of confidence, playing for Palace, which helped me believe I could come back to Chelsea and get in the first team. That was always the aim for me, so I was very thankful to Crystal Palace."

On standing in as captain, Gallagher also stated: "It's a really proud feeling and it was an honour to wear the armband for the games I have done this season.

"I'm really thankful to the manager for giving me that responsibility, and I've really enjoyed doing it and helping the team, on and off the pitch. I like the responsibility, I enjoy it."