da bet7： Despite emerging as a key player this season, the academy product is egregiously viewed as expendable as the Blues look to balance the books
da dobrowin： If not for Cole Palmer's extraordinary exploits, Conor Gallagher would be a shoo-in for Chelsea's player of the season award. His latest impressive showing came in a man-of-the-match display against Tottenham as his growing importance to the Blues was underlined. However, if certain members of the club's hierarchy have their way, he could be playing Spurs next season.
After a mind-boggling spend of more than £1 billion ($1.25bn) under the Todd Boehly-Clearlake Capital ownership group, Chelsea inevitably find themselves in a position where they need to balance the books to fall in line with the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR).
As he prepares to enter the final year of his contract and with talks over a new deal at an impasse, Gallagher is bizarrely viewed as expendable – mainly because any fee for the Cobham academy graduate would represent pure profit for the club he joined aged eight.
After beating Tottenham in midweek, Chelsea face another of Gallagher's suitors in West Ham on Sunday. If he is forced through the exit, it would be the latest in a string of recent transfer mistakes at Stamford Bridge.
Getty ImagesProper Chels
Gallagher is one of few members of the squad who will have a profound understanding of what it means and what is required to play for Chelsea, possessing the same winning mentality, grit and determination that have been personified by the likes of John Terry, Frank Lampard and Dennis Wise at Stamford Bridge down the years.
Having joined the Blues aged eight, he lives and breathes Chelsea, and having someone around a young squad who embodies those deep-rooted values is invaluable.
Speaking last year, the midfielder said: "Chelsea is my club, I’ve supported them all my life and I just want to do so well whenever I step onto the pitch in a Chelsea shirt." In another interview, he reiterated: "Everyone knows Chelsea is my club and I love playing for them."
Discussing Gallagher and fellow academy graduate Trevoh Chalobah after the victory over Spurs on Thursday, head coach Mauricio Pochettino spoke about the importance of players who carry that spirit: "We talk about the identity of the club, they are players that have come through the academy system and I think they have the capacity in this type of game to give a little bit more, because it is emotional."
AdvertisementGettyPochettino's man
Indeed, Gallagher is the kind of player a manager loves – even if his technical ability might not match up to some of his peers; cut from the same cloth as England colleague Jordan Henderson, he is a tireless runner, aggressive tackler and relentless presser who would charge through a brick wall for the cause.
Pochettino has recognised his leadership potential, too, handing him the captain's armband in the injury absence of both skipper Reece James and vice Ben Chilwell back in September and regularly turning to him in the months since.
Gallagher has gone from almost leaving in the summer to becoming a key figure, starting every single Premier League game he has been available for in 2023-24. He was a regular last season as well, with Thomas Tuchel, Graham Potter and Frank Lampard all recognising his potential.
Quizzed on his stand-in captain's importance after his man-of-the-match display against Spurs, Pochettino said: "You can see. My starting XI, the whole season he has always been there, in all of the circumstances he is always there. I am not involved in the decision [over his future]. It is a situation they need to fix between the club and the player."
GettySetting the standard
Another thing that Gallagher seems to have in common with a prime Henderson is that he brings out the best in those around him, perhaps as a result of doing the hard yards and dirty work so others don't have to.
There is a widespread perception among Chelsea supporters that £115 million ($145m) summer signing Moises Caicedo has had his strongest showings alongside the England international in a double pivot, while his presence has helped to raise Enzo Fernandez's game on other occasions.
He hasn't done all his work in the background, though, popping up with a very handy 15 goals contributions in all competitions so far, including a run of four assists in five games between October and November. He laid on another against Spurs on Thursday to become the player with the most assists against the so-called big six this season.
His all-action approach was reflected in a remarkable stat at the end of 2023: Gallagher was the only player in Europe's big five leagues this season with 20+ shots, 20+ chances created, 20+ dribbles completed, 20+ touches in the opposition box, 20+ duels won, 20+ tackles and 20+ interceptions, per .
GettyStrengthening rivals
It is not an understatement to say that Gallagher is now a key player for Chelsea, and arguably their most important midfielder despite the incredible £221m ($178m) outlay on Caicedo and Enzo. That makes the idea of selling him all the more preposterous.
Even more ludicrous is the possibility of him being sold to a London rival, in the form of Tottenham or West Ham – two sides that are loathed local foes who fans will feel the club should be allowing academy products to join, especially when it's unlikely to be on the player's own terms.
They are also two teams who, in all likelihood, will be in direct competition with the Blues for a European place next season, so selling Gallagher – who has been crucial in Chelsea's late push up the table – to either would represent strengthening a direct rival.
Parting with the 24-year-old will not be well received regardless of his destination, but if Chelsea are in a position where they must balance the books, their decision-makers must think seriously about the consequences if and when an offer arrives.