Crystal Palace are reportedly interested in bringing back Conor Gallagher to Selhurst Park, on a permanent deal.
According to 90min, the Eagles have made an inquiry to Chelsea about the midfielder’s availability. However, they are not the only clubs interested in his services with Newcastle United and West Ham United also making an approach, according to the report.
That being said, Chelsea are unwilling to let Gallagher leave as of now.
The Cobham academy graduate enjoyed a sensational loan spell under Patrick Vieira last season, making 39 appearances in all competitions, registering eight goals and three assists.
He won Crystal Palace’s Player of the Season award and was also nominated for the PFA Player of the Year accolade following his fine displays in South London.
Should Conor Gallagher leave Stamford Bridge?
If Crystal Palace are able to pull off this surprise move, it could represent a tremendous deal for both the player and the club, giving the fans a real lift heading into the campaign.
Although Chelsea, would like to keep him at Stamford Bridge, it is at Selhurst Park where the 22-year-old burst onto the Premier League scene. Not only that, but through his consistency and application for Vieira, he was also rewarded with a deserved first international caps for England and he will be hoping to make many more appearances heading into the next few months when Gareth Southgate names his England squad for the World Cup in November.
For that to happen though, Gallagher would need consistent minutes and there is huge doubts about whether he’d get that at Stamford Bridge considering the number and quality of players in front of him in the pecking order.
Also, Chelsea’s reported move for Barcelona superstar Frenkie de Jong will only make matters worse for the Epsom born box-to-box midfielder. For that reason, Conor Gallagher will need to consider his future under Tuchel, especially this being a World Cup year, and a move back to Crystal Palace even on another short-term deal could do him the world of good.
What will a Selhurst Park return look like for both parties?
His performances last term were nothing short of extraordinary, and he earned praise for his dogged midfield work married to a sharp proficiency in front of goal. Patrick Vieira’s praise and admiration for the player is no secret even drawing comparisons to former teammate Ray Parlour and Frank Lampard, saying: “It is a manager’s dream to have a player like Conor. When he is on the field, he will give everything. He is focused, he is concentrating and always gives his best. That is something that for me it is really important.
“Conor has this passion for the game when he is on the field like a Ray Parlour, but I would say he has maybe the quality finishing of a Frank Lampard.”
Gallagher’s eight goals made him Palace’s second top scorer behind talisman Wilfried Zaha, and Vieira will certainly need all the firepower he can get if he is to lead the club to a remarkable top table finish this season, after 12th last campaign. Bringing back the 22-year-old is absolutely a no-brainer as his midfield thrust, energy, enthusiasm and individual brilliance would again make the world of difference to Vieira’s gameplan at Selhurst Park.
Cheick Doucoure has been brought in to combat the absence of the “relentless” midfielder, although to pair Gallagher’s goals alongside Doucoure’s destructive edge would truly be a dream for the Crystal Palace faithful. Providing much-needed tenacity, dynamism and security to Vieira’s midfield.
In fact, adding the creative excellence of Ebere Eze or Michael Olise to this midfield trio means Palace could possess one of the Premier League’s most exciting midfield setups.
He ranked in the top 7% for pressures compared to midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues, outlining him as an outstanding candidate when it comes to pressing from the front and giving Vieira’s men the impetus to go on the front foot. Whilst also ranking in the top 4% for non-penalty goals, and top 8% for dribbles completed, there truly was nothing Gallagher could not do in midfield.
There is no doubt that Gallagher is the complete midfielder, an all-action style player whose nature, enthusiasm and infectious application on a football pitch deserve to be in the spotlight every single week. That may not happen at Chelsea, which will only stunt his growth and development. It’s clear he needs opportunities if he is to reach last season’s tremendous levels, or to reach even higher which he is perfectly capable of.
For that simple reason, Palace must place all their eggs and efforts in the Conor Gallagher basket these next few weeks.
