Ruislip & Eastcote & Northwood Gazette
CRYSTAL PALACE EYE UP CHELSEA STARLET GALLAGHER
BUT SOURCES CLOSE TO THE CHELSEA STARLET INSIST A PERMANENT MOVE IS UNLIKELY
CHELSEA starlet Conor Gallagher is unlikely to join Crystal Palace in a permanent move – but the midfielder would be open to a loan at Selhurst Park, according to sources close to the player.
It was reported in the Sun this week that Palace were lining up a £10-million offer for the 20-year-old, who has impressed during his first season of senior football with loan moves to first Charlton Athletic and then Swansea City.
The paper claimed that Eagles boss Roy Hodgson thought Gallagher was an “ideal prospect” to strengthen his squad ahead of the 2020-21 Premier League season.
Stamford Bridge has been a happy hunting ground for the Eagles in the past with defender Gary Cahill a recent addition and Ruben LoftusCheek and Michy Batshuayi both coming to Selhurst Park on loan.
Meanwhile Gallagher has been with Chelsea since the age of eight, training at their Cobham base, which is minutes from his parents’ home in Great Bookham.
A box-to-box midfielder who can deliver a tough tackle as well as notching plenty of goals and assists, Gallagher models his playing style on that of his Chelsea hero, and current Blues boss, Frank Lampard.
Lampard has shown trust in the Blues academy in the past with Callum Hudson-Odoi, Reece James and Tammy Abraham breaking into the first team set up in the past year but with Chelsea’s transfer ban now well and truly over, it remains to be seen whether the former midfielder will stick with that philosophy.
But a source close to England U21s international Gallagher admitted the Surrey-based starlet was unlikely to give up on his dream of breaking into the Chelsea first team without a fight.
However, having impressed in the Championship this season, Gallagher, who still has two years left to run on his Stamford Bridge contract, could be open to a loan move to the Premier League.
The source told the Croydon Advertiser: “Conor was told of Palace’s interest and he is really flattered, especially as they are managed by former England boss Roy Hodgson.
“Conor’s really enjoyed playing in the Championship this season, but would like to make the step up and test himself at the top level – the Premier League.
“But Chelsea is the dream – it’s his boyhood club, he’s been there more than a decade.
“Add to that they are managed by his footballing hero Frank Lampard. Conor knows it will be tough to break into the Chelsea first team but if he left now, he would never have properly given that a go. I can’t see him leaving on a permanent basis at the moment.
“However, while he’s really enjoying playing for Swansea and living away from home for the first time, Palace would definitely appeal as a loan move.
“Not only is it a step up to the Premier League but there aren’t many managers with the experience that Roy Hodgson has. Plus it’s close to the new home in Surrey.”