Crystal Palace have not ‘completely given up’ on being able to re-sign Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher, according to Sky Sports reporter Michael Bridge.
The 22-year-old enjoyed a very productive loan spell with the Eagles last season, seemingly doing enough to earn himself a spot in Thomas Tuchel’s first-team plans for the current campaign.
What is the latest news involving Gallagher?
Gallagher shone on his fourth temporary move away from Stamford Bridge, registering eight goals and five assists in 39 appearances for Palace as they finished in 12th position in the Premier League table.
As a result, the England international has joined the plethora of midfield talent at Chelsea vying for a spot in Tuchel’s starting XI alongside the likes of Jorginho, N’Golo Kante and Mateo Kovacic.
And it was a memorable opening weekend for Gallagher, who made his senior debut for the Blues against Everton at Goodison Park after coming off the bench to help them see out a 1-0 victory.
However, the box-to-box dynamo’s maiden showing in a Chelsea shirt probably didn’t come how he had dreamt, as his introduction in the ninth minute of injury time meant he only got a few touches of the ball.
What has Bridge said about Gallagher?
Bridge believes that Gallagher ‘won’t want’ to play such a reduced role throughout 2022/23 and that Palace would ‘walk over hot coals’ to entice him back to south London.
He told GMS: “That's not Conor Gallagher, and he won’t want that. He was an England starter for a few games, you know, so he has to be wary of that.
“And I've always said all summer that I don’t think Palace have ever completely given up on him. I think they would walk over hot coals to get him back for a second year.”
Where could Gallagher go?
Tuchel claimed during pre-season that Gallagher can be a ‘big asset’ for Chelsea, but that doesn’t appear to have prevented several sides from trying their luck.
The Guardian have reported that West Ham enquired about a deal for the engine room operator, who is valued at £22.5m by Transfermarkt, but were told that he is not interested in leaving his boyhood club.
And 90min have claimed that Palace and Newcastle United also asked Chelsea about Gallagher’s availability only to be met with a similar response.
It seems as though, therefore, Gallagher will be plying his trade with Chelsea this season, yet that could change if Tuchel continues to deny him game time prior to September’s deadline.