Chelsea face nightmare Conor Gallagher scenario

Tom Weber

Updated: 16 Mar 2024 20:25 GMT
3 min read

Conor Gallagher running down his Chelsea contract is a distinct possibility, according to a report.

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The England international has arguably been Chelsea's player of the season so far in Mauricio Pochettino's first campaign in charge, yet Gallagher faces an uncertain future at Stamford Bridge.

Out of contract in 2025, the Blues will have to cash in on him in the summer or risk losing him for nothing unless they can agree fresh terms with him. Little has thus far materialised in the way of the latter, however, with concerns growing that yet another academy graduate will be turned into 'pure profit' to help balance the books.

Gallagher was already linked with a Chelsea exit last summer and again in January. The speculation surrounding his future will only get more intense as we inch closer to the upcoming transfer window, and the 24-year-old is said to be the subject of an internal civil war.

Pochettino is naturally keen to keep him and he won't back down, but some feel that the money they could get for him is more important given their summer plans, which will see them attempt to sign €130 million Victor Osimhen.

Gallagher could stay

But what if Gallagher doesn't get sold? What if he stays and runs down his contract? According to Sky Sports' Dharmesh Sheth, that's a very distinct possibility and it's the worst-case scenario as far as Chelsea are concerned. "Gallagher could stay there and see out his contract," Sheth told GIVEMESPORT.

"That is the last thing Chelsea will want to do because they know, and they've used this in the last couple of seasons when they've tried to comply with all of the financial regulations, particularly when it comes to players who have come through the academy at Chelsea, everything that goes in the books when they sell those players goes down as pure profit."

"So they will not want to be in a situation where Conor Gallagher leaves for free. They will have to make a decision one way or another come the summer."