Mauricio Pochettino said he received assurances from the Chelsea hierarchy at the start of January that player sales would not be a condition of new signings in the January market. Everything is very subtle.
But as the transfer window continues, Gallagher’s situation looks dangerously precarious. He is known as a player who can attract big money to strengthen his balance sheet. Perhaps it was foolish of Chelsea to let a homegrown talent leave at such a critical time in the early days of Pochettino’s reign.
As Chelsea endure another disappointing season, Gallagher is one of the few bright spots. Often promoted to captain by Pochettino, the midfielder’s stats show why he deserves the mantle. Gallagher, who graduated from the academy alongside Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo, who are both worth more than £100million, outbid both players. The 23-year-old impressed in the Premier League with eight goals and five assists during his 2021/22 loan spell at Crystal Palace, and while he may not be able to match those figures, he still tops the list.
Chelsea Midfielder responsible for assists, chances created, final third passes and receptions per 90 minutes in the Premier League. But Gallagher isn’t just Chelsea’s main striker in midfield. He also excels in the defensive end of the game.
Once again, the England international is superior to Fernandes and Caicedo in tackles and possession. These figures reflect the inauspicious start to the South American duo’s Chelsea career and also show why Gallagher is so important to them. Pochettino has maintained the image that Gallagher is the core of Chelsea. It’s easy to see why. As mentioned earlier, Gallagher is integral to Pochettino’s style of play. Even if the execution on the pitch is a bit iffy, Argentina’s intentions and character are clear.
But that’s not the fault of the tireless Gallagher, the heartbeat of an inexperienced team. He is good at tackling opponents and acts as an enforcer. He has committed at least 13 more fouls than any other player in the league this season (47). He can also tease his opponents with lateral runs or skilful passes. Pochettino reiterated his love for the Cobham Academy graduate after taking on the important role. “He is one of the captains and I am very happy for him. When Conor plays for me, it means his performance.
That means he is a player we can trust. It’s in our plan.” It is unclear whether this was a call for Chelsea’s owners, but it is hard to see how the Blues and Pochettino could afford to part with such an asset. Shared history cannot be repeated. Gallagher is in Chelsea’s DNA. He has been on their books since the age of eight and it shows in their performances.
You can tell he celebrates every victory, big and small, and regrets every defeat. It’s personal. When the going gets tough, it often seems like a one-man job. When others don’t use their tools and the results seem to push them beyond their limits, we see how Gallagher reacts and tries to save the day. There are not many players at Chelsea who want to do the same. Tottenham will change direction. His persistence took a toll and it would probably be easier to get out of the situation.
Take a short trip from west to north London in search of a fresh start. But that’s not Gallagher’s character. Besides, Chelsea still have a lot to play for. Part of Gallagher’s appeal is the dedication he shows week in, week out, which complements his ability to craft subtle dictates. But Gallagher is far from a flashy player. He will lead the Chelsea team forward and should be a role model for young aspiring midfielders looking to pursue a midfield career in the Premier League. One thing’s for sure: Backlash is expected when it goes on sale this month.
Do the rewards outweigh the risks? If Gallagher has managed more than half of Chelsea’s games this season, is statistically their best midfielder and features in his manager’s plans, why would the club want to sell him? Simply put, it’s about money. January 15 is not a particularly important day for most football fans, but it is marked with a big ‘X’ on the calendar because it is the day when Premier League clubs are notified of their victories. Stability regulations (PSR) from previous seasons.
As Everton have shown, failing to comply with the Premier League’s version of financial fair play can have serious consequences and it is doubtful that Chelsea have done so. But even if the Blues qualify for the PSR this year, their results this season and beyond could be cause for concern. That’s because Chelsea have been knocked out of the Champions League and, given their mid-table status, there may be no more European football for at least another season.
With no money from UEFA and more than £1bn spent in the last three transfer windows, raising funds by selling academy graduates such as Gallagher has become a major problem. As there is no purchase cost, the entire transfer fee can be shown as profit in the club account. Chelsea Academy graduates Mason Mount and Trevoh Chalobah also took part. It is no coincidence that Mount was sold last summer and Chalobah will soon follow.
Gallagher’s sale window, on the other hand, has ended with just 18 months left on his contract. The sad thing about modern football is that clubs are encouraged to develop players so they can sell them to break even. It is true that Chelsea’s overspending has taken them to a point where one of their smartest and most popular players could be sold if needed.
It’s not the approach Chelsea fans were sold when Todd Bohli and Behdad Egbali arrived, but the owners may decide to deal with the inevitable backlash of losing Gallagher if it helps them avoid future penalties.
