Loved by Chelsea supporters, one of the last former academy players not to be dumped on the transfer market. It was therefore with dissatisfaction and a good dose of disbelief for the supporters, when the Chelsea management more or less pushed Conor Gallagher out of the club. It has turned out that this may have been a mistake by the London club, for the 25-year-old this has been the start of something big.
Gallagher earns the label “a pit bull of a midfielder”. Chelsea’s decision to sell Gallagher to Atletico Madrid was to buy Joao Felix. This was a typical “book-balancing-transfer”. And how has this gone for Chelsea?
Joao Felix is out of Chelsea on loan to AC Milan, already after half a season with Enzo Maresca at the helm. Conor Gallagher is thriving and delivering for the club that is fighting with Real Madrid for La Liga title and advancement in the Champions League.
Maresca tried to explain Gallagher’s exit by saying that the Englishman was not suited for his football. In a way, the Chelsea manager was right, but not where Maresca thought.
English Goal describes it aptly and ironically:
“The academy player’s heart and perseverance would be completely out of place in a Chelsea team that very clearly lacks the fighting spirit and pride for the shirt when the going gets tough.”
In other words: Exactly the player Chelsea need at Stamford Bridge.
Atletico manager Diego Simeone demands this of his players, Gallagher fits perfectly into Atletico’s squad of fierce winners who wear their hearts on the outside of their shirts – to a “last man standing” mentality on the pitch.
