Why Chelsea should keep this £45m rated midfielder

Conor Gallagher is a player that sparks mixed opinions among the Chelsea fanbase. The England international broke into the first team this past campaign after an impressive loan at Crystal Palace during the 2021/22 season but struggled to consistently find his footing during his first full season in blue. Despite his subpar performances last season, there is potential in Gallagher and the 23-year-old has continued to garner interest from numerous Premier League clubs.

It is reported that Tottenham and Newcastle are fans of the England international, and Chelsea would be willing to let Gallagher go at a fee of around £40 to 50 million. Yet despite the interest and the underwhelming performances of last season, there are reasons why Chelsea should consider holding on to Conor Gallagher at least for this summer.

Why Chelsea should keep £45m rated midfielder.

New Circumstances

Chelsea last season was a disaster on all fronts, off the pitch and on, it was a season to forget. The arrival of Mauricio Pochettino represents a clean slate not only for the club but for players to prove themselves under more normal circumstances. Gallagher’s performances last season were not great, yet you can say the same for a large majority of CFC players.

Under Pochettino’s guidance, a player of Gallagher’s profile aligns well with the demands of the manager’s tactical approach. While there may be doubts about the 23 year old’s ability on the ball, one cannot overlook that he consistently gives his all on the pitch. His tireless work rate allows him to outpace and out-press opponents in both defensive and offensive situations, an attribute desired in Pochettino’s teams. These qualities, coupled with his commitment to the team, make Gallagher an intriguing prospect for Pochettino’s plans.

Limited Midfield Options

CFC are currently going through a massive squad exodus and one of the areas of the pitch that has seen the most outgoings is the midfield. Over the past two transfer windows, the Blues have bid farewell to their entire midfield core from the past four seasons. Departures have included the likes of Mateo Kovacic, Ngolo Kante, Jorginho, and Mason Mount, leaving west London with glaring voids in the heart of the team.

While the Blues are actively working on securing the services of Moises Caicedo from Brighton, there have not been many concrete links to any other midfield targets this summer, so depth will still be required. Fortunately, Conor Gallagher is an ideal option who remains at the club. Having shaken off the pressure of playing his first full season with his boyhood club, Gallagher deserves another opportunity to impress under the guidance of new manager Mauricio Pochettino. In addition, Pochettino reportedly desires to have a homegrown core within his Chelsea squad, likely meaning that Gallagher’s sale would be ruled out unless an unrefusable bid is tabled.

“Proper Chels”

In the wake of Mason Mount’s departure, the term “Proper Chels” has undoubtedly lost some of its credibility, having become somewhat cliché. Nonetheless, it remains an expression that measures the depth of a player’s affection for the club. In an era marked by skyrocketing transfer fees and the allure of other big clubs, witnessing genuine loyalty towards a team has become a rarity. Conor Gallagher stands out as a player who exemplifies this loyalty to Chels‘.

The 23-year-old has constantly reiterated his desire to prove himself with Chelsea and the club should be wary of parting ways with players with true desire to represent the badge. While it is true that passion alone does not guarantee exceptional performance on the field, Gallagher’s unwavering aspiration to succeed with CFC holds the promise of yielding tangible results in due time.