Chelsea: Conor Gallagher should be getting more hype than he gets

The focus at Chelsea has understandably been on the youth revolution at home. But Conor Gallagher should be getting more hype than he has been getting.

Last season the Championship was far more “must watch” for Chelsea fans than this year. The looming transfer ban and the excellent play of Tammy Abraham, Fikayo Tomori, Mason Mount, and Reece James drew eyes to the league for many Chelsea fans.

This season, with all four of those players at Chelsea, the Championship has faded out of the limelight. Chelsea still has players on loan in the Championship, but all eyes have turned towards the club at the expense of the loan army.

That is understandable, but fans are missing out on one player in particular. Conor Gallagher appeared briefly for Chelsea in preseason before moving to Charlton Athletic. He is every bit as important this season as Abraham, Tomori, Mount, and James were last season.

Gallagher has long stood out in the academy across basically every midfield position and role. His brief cameo in preseason showed a player who stood above everyone else on the pitch. As Chelsea’s first loan strategy shifted from Vitesse to the Championship, Gallagher was picked up by Charlton late in the transfer window.

His late arrival could have been seen as a detriment but he immediately thrust himself into the starting XI after just one electric substitute appearance. Across 11 Championship matches, he has played nearly every available minute while scoring four goals and assisting two more. For comparison’s sake, Mount had more minutes at the same point last season but less goals and less assists.

Like Mount, Gallagher seems to be a multipurpose midfielder. Charlton are formationally fluid like Chelsea and, like Mount, it has been more important to have Gallagher on the field rather than where he is on the field. Thus far this season he has played behind the striker, at the base of midfield, as a wider midfielder, and as a winger all in various set ups. His talent and ability to adapt has made him a valuable asset for Charlton and the fans adore him.

For most Chelsea fans, however, he is merely a familiar name within the loan army. He is not getting nearly the attention that the four first team players did this time last year when they were in the Championship. That should change.

Gallagher, if he continues on his current form, will be in the Chelsea first team next season in some capacity. It is still unknown how Frank Lampard will act in a transfer market (at Derby his only real options were loans and free agents). But even if Lampard looks to make a splash, Gallagher will find a place somewhere in his plans. Lampard is forced into using the squad he has currently, but he will also absolutely still make room for academy players. Gallagher will currently exist at the top of that list.

Start watching the Championship again if it faded into the background noise this season. Start hyping up Gallagher as he deserves. Because next season, he will be a Chelsea player if he continues like this.