NEWCASTLE EYEING MOVE FOR NEXT LAMPARD

Newcastle United are eyeing a move for Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher who has been likened to club legend Frank Lampard due to his playing style. The Daily Telegraph reported that Magpies boss Steve Bruce is keen on a loan move for Gallagher as he bolsters his squad for the new campaign starting next month.

Former West Brom boss SlavenBilic is one of several football stakeholders who have drawn similarities between Gallagher and Chelsea legend Frank Lampard. Frank Lampard is the all-time leading goalscorer in the history of West London giants Chelsea and he was their manager for 18 months until January when he was sacked. German tactician Thomas Tuchel replaced Frank Lampard as the Blues manager shortly after his sack and he went on to lead the Premier League giants to a second Champions League title.

Young Chelsea midfielder Gallagher played under Bilic while he was on loan at West Brom last season before the Croatian was sacked and replaced by Sam Allardyce towards the end of last year. Gallagher, 21, had joined the Baggies on loan from Chelsea. He scored two goals and two assists for West Brom in the Premier League last season but could not prevent the club from suffering demotion to the Championship. Gallagher is not expected to stay with the Chelsea first team this season with another loan move likely for the English midfielder especially if he wants regular first team football.

Apart from Chelsea midfielder Gallagher, Newcastle United are also plotting a loan move for Arsenal star Joe Willock. Willock was one of the best players in the final weeks of the Premier League season after netting in each of his final seven games last season. In total, Willock scored eight times for the Magpies while he was on loan from Arsenal for the second half of the season.