Chelsea may make major switch in position over star player's future

According to a claim in a report, Chelsea Football Club's ownership and recruitment chiefs could have made a significant alteration in their position on a star player's future. In addition to covering this topic, The Pride of London talk about loan speculation concerning up-and-coming defender Alfie Gilchrist.

Will Conor Gallagher permanently stay at Stamford Bridge with a new deal? Will Gilchrist leave temporarily? PoL examine news and speculation and offer our views to the Blues fan base.

Alfie Gilchrist on Leeds United's radar and open to move - report

Gilchrist is a highly rated Chelsea youngster who made some impressive and passionate appearances for the Blues under Mauricio Pochettino in 2023/24. He certainly won the hearts and minds of the CFC faithful when he scored his maiden goal for the senior side.

The starlet netted in the 6-0 win over Everton in the Premier League to see his star rise exponentially. His celebration captured the imagination and spirit of a boy playing for his lifelong team. However, there may not be too many opportunities for the 20-year-old under new Blues boss Enzo Maresca. So the former is likely to depart for a while to seek playing time.

Leeds have emerged as a potential destination for Gilchrist. He could be at Elland Road for an entire year, with a season-long loan reportedly on the table. And he is said to be 'open' to the transfer. Journalist Ben Jacobs fully expects the versatile player to join a Championship club for the subsequent campaign. Good luck to Alfie from those of us at PoL, should an agreement occur over the summer.

Twist in Conor Gallagher saga at Chelsea

Is he staying, is he going? Nobody really knows. Even Gallagher, who is presently in Germany with the England squad preparing for the Euros, probably doesn't know where he'll be next term. Though it would be interesting to hear the Three Lions midfielder's true desire.

Nevertheless, the epic chronicles of What's Next for Conor continue at the Bridge. The latest suggestion is the best one for the west London outfit, in my opinion. Apparently Todd Boehly, Behdad Eghbali, Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley - the pair who supposedly 'control' transfers at CFC - and whoever else calling the shots have changed their stance.

Gallagher's calibre as well as homegrown status would always put him in the frame for sale. Yet, it appears that a twist in the narrative or position is afoot:

"Chelsea are considering a shift in their position over selling Conor Gallagher and could make a concerted effort to agree a new deal with the midfielder.

Gallagher, who is out of contract at the end of next season, remains a candidate to leave Stamford Bridge this summer and is wanted by Aston Villa and Tottenham. But while there have been plenty of ­indications that Chelsea are actively ­looking to sell ­Gallagher, who is ­valued at a minimum of £50m, there has been a change in the noise around the situation.

The possibility of a reversal has been ­strengthened by unexpected predictions from within the club, who are giving serious consideration to bolstering their attack by signing Villa’s Jhon Durán, that Gallagher will not be sold during this transfer window."