Conor Gallagher’s decision to cut his Charlton stay short was questioned by former Addicks chief Alan Curbishley.

The Chelsea youngster was enjoying a successful spell at The Valley before cutting his season-long loan short, and moving to Swansea in January.

Although the 19-year-old has impressed under Steve Cooper at the Liberty Stadium, Curbishley felt Chelsea’s Youth Team Player of The Year last season was making inroads under Lee Bowyer in SE7.

"I was a bit surprised by that and I think they were as well," he told Goal.

"I saw him a couple of times. I didn’t quite see why he made the move to be honest.

"If Swansea were in the top three or top two then fine but he was playing really well, living at home and that’s a big thing.

"These things happen and I think he is a good player."

Gallagher established himself as a regular under Bowyer shortly after arriving in the summer, earning himself a call-up to the England U21 squad.

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Despite scoring six times in 26 appearances for the Addicks however, Chelsea felt he would progress under Cooper in Wales having played under the manager in the World Cup winning England U17 squad in 2017.

Gallagher is highly rated at Stamford Bridge, shown by signing the three-year contract offered to him at the start of the season.

Curbishley went on to say he felt the Chelsea man is capable of establishing himself under Frank Lampard in West London and will be given a chance to do so, referencing the emergence of other young talent as proof of that.

"You saw Billy Gilmour recently and there are some good players coming through at Chelsea," he added.

"He needs to be playing, Gallagher has shown that this season that playing regular football has helped him enormously.

"He can play for Chelsea for sure in the future.

“He has got box-to-box energy, can find a pass and score a goal.

"He is a team player and a good lad as well, as I understand it, which helps."