"Conor Gallagher is not a footballer... he's a commodity" - Pundit blasts Chelsea for treatment of Atletico Madrid target
Pundit Kieran Maguire has slammed Chelsea's treatment of academy graduate Conor Gallagher. The saga around his potential transfer to Atletico Madrid is still not over as the deal could fall through.
Gallagher came through the Blues' academy and has 95 senior appearances for them. He made 50 appearances across competitions last season, even captaining the side in the absence of Reece James and Ben Chilwell. However, he is set to leave the club this summer as they look to make a profit.
As per transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, the west London side had agreed on a €42 million deal with Atletico Madrid for Gallagher's transfer. The midfielder also completed his medical. However, the deal isn't completed yet as the Blues have now shown interest in Atleti's Joao Felix. They want it to be a separate deal from Gallagher, which has put a potential move on hold.
Amidst all these reports, Kieran Maguire has slammed Chelsea's treatment of their academy graduate, saying on The Price of Football podcast:
"Conor Gallagher is not a football player...he's a commodity as far as Chelsea Football Club are concerned. He is a commodity which cost them nothing. Therefore, it they sell him, it will be pure profit.
"By threatening to exile him from the first-team squad if he doesn't sign for Atletico Madrid, I can understand why players do choose to move on. It shows the myth, it shows the lie that you should be loyal to your club because the club isn't loyal to players.
"I make no bones, I loathe the Chelsea owners. It just shows that you're just a product, just a commodity. You are a nothing apart from a potential profit as far as the club owners are concerned."
The Blues have also reportedly barred another academy graduate Trevoh Chalobah from first-team training as they look to force him out of the club.
Chelsea interested in Victor Osimhen; Napoli interested in Romelu Lukaku: Reports
Chelsea were linked with a move for Atletico Madrid striker Samu Omorodion. However, the deal fell through due to some contract issue and it is another factor causing a delay in the Conor Gallagher deal.
Regardless, the Blues are still in the hunt for a striker and have identified Victor Osimhen as their target, as per HITC. The Nigerian striker's contract with Napoli expires in 2026 and he wants to leave the club this summer. Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) are also interested in the striker.
Meanwhile, Napoli are interested in signing Romelu Lukaku as a potential replacement for Osimhen. The Chelsea striker has interest from other clubs as well but he would prefer to reunite with manager Antonio Conte in Italy. The duo won the Scudetto with Inter Milan in the 2020-21 season.
The Blues then signed Lukaku for a massive fee of £97.5 million but he flattered to deceive in the 2021-22 season. He's been on loan at Inter and AS Roma since and the west London side are looking for a permanent sale this summer.