According to Gary Neville, Chelsea could be prepared to sell Conor Gallagher, after the Spurs-linked midfielder was left out of the starting line-up for the Blues’ recent Carabao Cup semi-final second-leg game against Middlesbrough.
Ever since last summer, Tottenham have been linked with a shock move for Chelsea’s academy graduate, Conor Gallagher. It seems unthinkable that Chelsea would sell to a big rival, and yet the rumours will not go away.
It has been reported that Ange Postecoglou‘s next big priority in the January transfer market is to upgrade his midfield options, specifically with a new number 8 (The Independent).
Gallagher is believed to fit that specification, and journalist Ben Jacobs has suggested Chelsea would be willing to sell if they receive a suitable offer, particularly in light of Financial Fair Play regulations. It is thought the Blues want around £60m for the player.
However, more recently, Football Insider suggested Spurs will have to wait until the summer for Gallagher, as Chelsea want to keep him until the end of the season.
Are Chelsea ready to sell Conor Gallagher?
Now, with Gallagher losing his place in the starting line-up this week, Gary Neville has begun to question whether Chelsea may be lining up the sale of one of their brightest talents in order to balance the books.
When asked if Mauricio Pochettino’s team selection might hint at anything regarding Gallagher’s future, Neville told Sky Sports (broadcast on 23/1 from 19:00): “Well, that’s what I thought when I saw the team sheet come through.
“It’s got to the point where you have spent that much money that you have got to sell one of your own, who is playing pretty well, to fund it.”
Spurs Web Opinion
I don’t think we can read too much into the fact that Chelsea decided not to start Gallagher in a game against opposition from a division below them. Fair play, Middlesbrough scared Chelsea last time around, but a home tie against the Championship side was always going to be a favourable task for the Blues, so I believe they just felt they didn’t quite need Gallagher to start the game.