Connect with us

Chelsea

Conor Gallager’s potential exit exposes Chelsea’s tunnel vision

Chelsea have made plans to sell central midfielder Conor Gallagher in January, according to The Athletic.

The Blues plan to sell the 23-year-old academy graduate, who has only 18 months left on his deal, to fund their January spending and balance their books.

They tried to sell him in January and during the summer, and they will have another go in the next transfer window.

The club has spent over £1 billion since the arrival of the Todd Boehly-Clearlake Consortium in 2022.

Chelsea have splurged recklessly, claiming they are building a squad to compete for the future. 

They have brought in several inexperienced starlets who are not ready to play, a policy which yielded a mid-table finish in 2023. They are on course for the same fate in 2024.

To balance their books, Chelsea plan to sell their homegrown stars and arguably the most profitable of the bunch is Gallagher.

However, selling the England international will only reinforce the lack of direction from the top brass at the club.

Gallagher has been one of Chelsea’s better performers this term and a mainstay in manager Mauricio Pochetttino’s team.

Gallagher is yet to open his account for Chelsea this term but has created five big chances in 16 Premier League games. He clearly has his coach’s trust.

His qualities do not lie in his productivity in the final third, but in what he brings in between. He is a domineering force in the centre of the park, using his non-stop engine to win the ball back for his side.

Constantly snapping at opponents’ heels, he recovers the ball a staggering 6.6 times per league game. He wins 2.8 tackles and makes 1.5 interceptions per 90.

Gallagher has won 55% of his league duels this season, and even though his discipline could use some work, his tenacity is vital for Chelsea. He has also improved massively from last season in his passing and progressive passing.

Chelsea’s plans to sell him to balance their books only goes to show the botched work that has been done at the club since the arrival of the new regime.

The club has been so focused on adding so many players and reshuffling the pack. They are letting go of the gems in their hands.

Chelsea’s financial concerns could be mitigated by smarter business practices. 

Instead of relying on player sales to balance the books, a focus on long-term sustainability and strategic investment could yield greater rewards. 

Sacrificing young talent like Gallagher for short-term gain is a dangerous gamble.

They must break free from this short-sighted approach and invest in their future, starting with Gallagher.

More in Chelsea