'I’ve felt very wanted & appreciated' - Conor Gallagher aims subtle dig at Chelsea as Atletico Madrid's new 'pitbull' insists transfer to La Liga club was a step forward

After being deemed surplus to requirements at Chelsea by head coach Enzo Maresca, Gallagher finally secured a move to Atletico - despite the transfer being on the brink of collapsing at one stage. Now, the 24-year-old has spoken about the Spanish team's "pitbull" nickname for him, how he is feeling at home with his new team, and reflected on his Chelsea exit.

He told The Athletic: “I’ve felt very wanted and appreciated, which is important for any footballer. Chelsea are a huge football club, one of the biggest in the world, along with Atletico. But I have taken that exciting step of playing Champions League football and challenging for trophies. It just builds me with even more confidence and happiness to play my best football.

“It was just (being) full of excitement to be joining Atletico. When I look back at my memories at Chelsea, I’m very proud and honoured to play for the club. It was time to move on and Atletico is the perfect club to make the next chapter in my career. I feel very lucky and fortunate to be in this position.”

On being announced as a "pitbull" during his signing ceremony, he added: “I think that [nickname] was something Atletico made up. Some people in England call me a dog, because of how I play on the pitch. Sometimes I just run after every ball, like a dog does in the park. It kind of stuck. (Atletico) took it from there. I don’t mind. I take it as a compliment.”

Gallagher went from being a key player and a captain at Chelsea last season to one who wasn't wanted in a few short months. The former Crystal Palace loanee scored his first Atletico goal last weekend and now he feels he can kick on further with his career at the Madrid outfit - rather than at Stamford Bridge.

Gallagher could make his Champions League debut for Atletico on Thursday when they host RB Leipzig, before returning to La Liga action on Sunday night away to Rayo Vallecano.