Crystal Palace have once again asked Chelsea for their midfielder Conor Gallagher, who was on loan with the Eagles last season. Gallagher’s spell with Palace was a massive hit as he helped the club play some brilliant football. Manager Patrick Vieira was highly impressed with the 22-year-old and straight away demanded the club sign him on a permanent deal.
However, Palace’s initial approach a couple of months back asking for Gallagher’s permanent acquisition was rejected by Chelsea. The Blues’ manager Thomas Tuchel had revealed that he was counting on the club’s academy star who was a part of his project for the new season. But the Eagles have comeback for the prodigy with a £27 million offer this time.
Conor Gallagher’s tough start at Stamford Bridge could see him return to Selhurst Park
Conor Gallagher enjoyed a stellar one-year stint at Crystal Palace under Patrick Vieira. The youngster formed a good relationship with the Arsenal legend, who wants him back in his team. According to The Times, Vieira has promised Gallagher that he would ensure his development at Palace, earning him a ticket to Qatar alongside Gareth Southgate’s England squad for the FIFA World Cup.
The Cobham graduate did earn his first England call-up while at Palace, which could tempt him into returning to the club. A robust, box-to-box midfielder, Gallagher bossed the midfield for the Eagles last season scoring 8 goals and providing 5 assists in 39 games in all competitions. While all of his 8 strikes came in 34 Premier League appearances, he further racked up 2 tackles, 6 passes under pressure, 1.3 dribbles, 2.6 shot-creating actions, 1.1 chances created and a whopping 23 presses per game.
However, Conor Gallagher has endured a rough start to his Chelsea career so far. He has feature in all four of the Blues’ Premier League outings, making the starting eleven twice. But the midfielder is yet to score or assist, further piling up misery by picking a red card in the last game against Leicester City.
Thomas Tuchel too seemed angry over Gallagher’s conduct on the pitch which forced them to play with 10-men against the Foxes who almost staged a comeback from two goals down. A lot of midfielders in the Chelsea dressing room are now waiting to grab their chance as the 22-year-old could lose his place in the starting line-up. Add to it, Palace’s new bid of £27 million for him has arrived and reports suggest that the midfielder could fancy his chances.
Palace too are lacking Gallagher’s exploits in their team this season as they have just one win from their four games in the league. They are now hopeful of convincing Chelsea into selling Conor Gallagher for £27 million as the West Londoners look to facilitate more incomings before the window shuts. As a result, there will be a need of sales at Stamford Bridge and the 22-year-old could be among those to go.