Chelsea risk Pochettino WRATH by selling player he ‘REALLY ADMIRES’
Robin Bairner
- 18 Aug 2023 07:41 BST
- 3 min read
Chelsea are ready to go against the wishes of manager Mauricio Pochettino by selling Conor Gallagher.
The 23-year-old announced himself as a Premier League force on loan at Crystal Palace in the 2021/22 season, when he scored eight goals and created another three.
Gallagher returned to Chelsea the following season despite interest from elsewhere but struggled to have the same impact, even when given a chance to start under both Graham Potter and Frank Lampard.
Chelsea Transfer News: Lavia edges CLOSER, MAJOR Olise blow and academy star set to LEAVE
According to Nizaar Kinsella of the Evening Standard, Chelsea are now ready to sell the seven-time capped England international.
It was reported on the London Is Blue Podcast, that Chelsea have made no effort to renew Gallagher’s contract and have instead offered the player to numerous clubs.
This stance goes against both the wishes of the player and manager Mauricio Pochettino. Gallagher wants to remain at Stamford Bridge to fight for a starting place while the Argentine is said to “really admire” the player.
Chelsea have previously put an asking price for around £40 million (€47m) on the midfielder, who has seen his Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) fall to from around that figure in June to just £28m (€33m). Given their stance on the player and the competition he faces in the Blues’ squad, they would do well to get what they are asking for.
MORE: Lukaku told by Juventus star he's NOT wanted at the club
Chelsea’s busy midfield transfer window
Moises Caicedo has been signed for £100m (€116m) to play in Gallagher’s position in the midfield, while Rennes youngster Lesley Ugochukwu has also been recruited to play in a central position, albeit with one eye to the future.
Romeo Lavia, meanwhile, will join up imminently from Southampton in a move that will further squeeze Gallagher’s opportunities.
MORE: All Chelsea transfers 2023/24
Chelsea have already offloaded a couple of central midfield regulars this summer, with Mason Mount going to Manchester United and Mateo Kovacic switching to Manchester City. N’Golo Kante has also left the club on a free transfer, but he barely featured last season due to injury.
Gallagher, it seems, is the next of the midfield old guard set for a transfer.
