Chelsea vs Spurs | Every word of Conor Gallagher's pre-match press conference in Sydney

Here's what he had to say...

How does it feel to see the level of support you have in Australia?

Conor: “It's amazing, I didn't quite realise how popular Spurs were in Australia. The fans have been incredible, they've showed a lot of support since we've been here, and even today in training it was great to have them watch training and it's really enjoyable, so tomorrow will be really exciting for them and for us. I know there will be a lot of Tottenham fans there and hopefully it will be an exciting match.”

The club have bought two number eights, it feels like you've been playing as a number 10, certainly through pre-season and at the end of last season as well, obviously you're very adaptable, you can play in both, does that feel like it's going to be your role going into the season as a 10?

Conor: “To be honest, I'm happy to play anywhere the manager wants to play me, the 10 or number eight in the double pivot, it's fine, I enjoy playing anywhere in midfield. I found myself in the 10 more often, and it's nice to run forward and I can do what I do best and press well and try and lead from the front. I don't really mind.”

It felt like you were hitting your stride towards the end of last season, how important is it to take that momentum into this one?

Conor: “Yeah, massive. Obviously, a big reason why I started to perform better was because of the gaffer coming in and it gave me a bit of confidence back and physically I was feeling stronger. Pre-season is really important for me, I want to push on from that and kick on and hopefully help the club to a good season.”

How important has it been to have a positive mindset, positive environment and how do you think Tottenham are going to go into the season?

Conor: “Yes, obviously we have made some great signings already which is really good for the club. They are great lads too, not just good footballers, which I think is really important, to have the right characters and people with us. It's only going to make us stronger. I think we went through a really tough season last season, and we're so determined and hungry to improve as a team and everyone's really excited. It's hopefully going to be a really good season for us.”

Is it exciting to have the competition around you, to have as many quality midfielders as Tottenham does this year?

Conor: “Yes, I mean when you play for a club like Tottenham, if there's not competition for a starting XI spot then something's wrong. Obviously, that's what comes with playing for such a top club and all the new signings are great lads, like I said, so it's been great so far.”

You spoke about how the manager lifted you up at the end of last season, you obviously also worked with Diego Simeone, he had quite a big impact on you - can you just talk about how both managers impacted you?

Conor: “Yeah, obviously Diego was an amazing manager and what he's done at Atletico is incredible. In football, confidence is a massive, massive thing and every player needs to have confidence if you're going to perform well and that's what the gaffer realised with me. I thought I wasn't playing very well, but he knew what I can do. Obviously, when he was at Brighton and I was at Chelsea, we played against each other a lot and he thought I was a good player, so he knew what I had to do to improve and to get that belief back and that's the main thing that has helped me.”

In terms of that confidence, does any of that inside you come from the way it ended at Chelsea?

Conor: “No, no. Confidence can come and go in a game, but when you get a run of games and you're playing well, you feel fit, you feel strong, you get confidence back and that's the way it was.”

Can I just ask you about the feeling in training at the moment for the team?

Conor: “It's a lot more enjoyable, not being in the situation we were last season, obviously, like we spoke about, it's a fresh start, fresh players, faces, a new way of playing, and trying to get everyone on the same page to understand how we play and what the manager wants us to do. In pre-season, that's what it's all been about, just understanding the way we want to play, so we're ready for the season.”

Can you see that on your team-mates' faces, the way they feel?

Conor: “Yes, of course. Everyone's so happy. We've had a great time in Australia. Training's been great, the games have been good. Everyone's in a great mood and we're really looking forward to a big game tomorrow.

Does it feel like a different club compared to last season?

Conor: “No, because there's a lot of the same people, which is great. Like I said, it's just a fresh start and everyone's just very excited to make things better.”

What lasting impact would you like to have on the club's youth prospects?

Conor: “It's weird because it only feels like the other day when I was 18, 19 and in the same position. So, I completely understand where them boys are at and I try and do what I can to set the standards on and off the pitch and show how professional you've got to be, and just try and help them as much as I can.”

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