Pochettino won't back down in Boehly transfer war over Chelsea star

Tom Weber

• Updated: 2 Mar 2024 11:55 GMT
• 4 min read

Mauricio Pochettino insists that he will have a big say on Conor Gallagher's future.

The Chelsea midfielder has been the subject of something of an internal civil war at Stamford Bridge. There seems to be a prominent section in the club ready to cash in on him in the summer, with the 24-year-old already prominently linked with an exit last year and again in January.

Gallagher, a Cobham academy product, is seen as being able to generate 'pure profit,' with the funds raised from a sale going a long way towards alleviating any Financial Fair Play fears the free-spending Blues may have. There is a problem, however.

READ MORE: Pochettino faces MAJOR Chelsea decision after FA Cup win

Head coach Mauricio Pochettino has no intention of seeing Gallagher depart, and for good reason. The England midfielder has undeniably been Chelsea's best and most consistent player this term, even captaining his boyhood club in the absence of Reece James.

Gallagher again hammered home his importance to Pochettino's side by scoring a brilliant late winner to spare Chelsea's blushes in the FA Cup against second-tier Leeds United.

Pochettino won't back down

Despite his performances this season, the 24-year-old is facing an uncertain future. Out of contract in 2025, little progress appears to have been made regarding a potential extension, meaning that Chelsea face another Mason Mount situation.

Mount, himself an academy graduate, was sold to Man Utd last summer as he would have been a free agent this year after Chelsea dragged their feet in contract talks, convincing the homegrown that he was not really wanted at the club.

READ MORE: Chelsea line up England youngster as €65m flop placed on transfer list

Something similar could happen with Gallagher, though a defiant Pochettino has insisted that he ought to have a say on the matter. “I am the coach, that [transfer business] needs to be my place.” Despite this, the Argentine was forced to admit that it may be out of his hands.

Regarding a potential extension for his star midfielder, Pochettino acknowledged: "I cannot be involved in this. It's only between the club and Conor that can make the deal.” It seems we haven't heard the last of this story.