Chelsea star could be offered new contract after HUGE U-turn
Cameron Smith
- 27 Oct 2023 15:30 BST
- 4 min read
Conor Gallagher’s Chelsea career looked as though it may have run its course this summer.
Despite receiving plenty of praise from new boss Mauricio Pochettino during the Blues’ pre-season tour of the United States, links with a move away persisted and several reports stated that Chelsea were keen to offload the England international in order to raise funds.
After all, the west London club spent a whopping €467.8 million during the most recent transfer window and despite the amortisation of contracts, Financial Fair Play is still an issue for the Blues.
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However, a proposed move to Tottenham Hotspur failed to materialise on Transfer Deadline Day, while both Liverpool and West Ham United were linked with the midfielder before the window shut.
It seemed as though Gallagher was teetering on the verge of a Chelsea exit, but the Blues weren’t able to negotiate a sale.
The whole situation around Gallagher was bizarre throughout the entire summer, however. The board perhaps viewed him as a sellable asset while Pochettino saw him as a key part of his team.
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That direct juxtaposition was clear to see, yet rumours of an exit persisted right until the deadline at 11pm on September 1.
Since then, Gallagher has arguably been Chelsea’s Player of the Season so far, has been trusted with the captain’s armband in Reece James and Ben Chilwell’s absence and there is now talk of him being offered a new contract, according to The Standard.
Gallagher to sign new Chelsea contract?
A new deal at Stamford Bridge would be just reward for Gallagher given his performances so far this season.
He is not a big-money signing or a flashy name, but he has been Chelsea’s most valuable player so far. His pressing and work-rate are such important traits for how Pochettino wants to play and he has also improved his ability in possession too.
With Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo next to him in midfield, Chelsea are able to match anyone in regards to intensity and their technical quality is top notch as well.
Gallagher deserves praise for backing himself this summer and believing that was good enough to become a regular for his boyhood club.
He was much-maligned last season, partly due to incorrect profiling from Thomas Tuchel, but the Englishman has won over the fans in the opening weeks of the 2023-24 campaign.
Calls for him to be sold have died down dramatically and his value to Chelsea is now immense.
A new contract has not yet been offered and with 18 months left on his current deal, there will be fears that Gallagher could leave for cheap next summer or on a free transfer in 2025, but the Blues would be foolish to not offer him an extended deal with better terms.
The return to fitness of Christopher Nkunku will be interesting as the Frenchman was initially seen as the No.10 to play ahead of Fernandez and Caicedo. With Gallagher’s form, however, the former RB Leipzig star may be used as a central striker when he finally comes into the team.
From almost being shepherded out of the club to becoming one of their most important players, it has been some turnaround from Gallagher at Chelsea, and a new contract is the logical next step.
