"He deserves better than this" - Emmanuel Petit slams Chelsea for their treatment of Conor Gallagher
Former Chelsea player Emmanuel Petit has slammed the Blues for their treatment of midfielder Conor Gallagher this summer. It has come in the wake of the Englishman nearing a transfer to Atletico Madrid.
Gallagher is currently the subject of a £34 million transfer to Spanish giants Atletico Madrid, who are reportedly close to signing the highly rated midfielder.
Several reports suggested that Chelsea had initially offered Gallagher a two-year contract extension with an option for a third. However, the player is said to have turned down the offer, forcing the Blues to put him up for sale rather than lose him for free next summer.
Meanwhile, ex-Chelsea man, Petit, has expressed his displeasure at the way his former club has treated Gallagher this summer. Petit is of the opinion that the Blues should keep the 24-year-old Cobham Academy graduate instead of splashing money on foreign players.
Speaking during an interview with Android Poker Apps, as revealed by The Sun, the former World Cup winner, who played 74 times for the Blues between 2001 and 2004, said:
"Chelsea should try to keep Conor Gallagher. In modern football, sometimes you don’t have an Englishman in the starting XI and the Blues need his English presence in the squad.
“It really reminds me of the Mason Mount situation, both players were happy to stay at the club and both have been forced out."
Petit continued:
"He [Gallagher] deserves more than what’s happening to him with Atletico Madrid. Gallagher belongs in England, he’s built up his career through loan moves and then became captain at Chelsea.
“He deserves better than this. Why are they getting rid of their best midfielder for loads of unknown young stars?
“It’s a massive gamble to splash millions on these foreign players. If I was Gallagher I’d be so p****d, it’s a pity.”
What next for Chelsea star Conor Gallagher?
Haven been already frozen out of the Blues' first team by head coach Enzo Maresca, the English midfielder could be heading to a new club this summer. According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, a move to Atletico Madrid is imminent, with the Blues reportedly agreeing to a €42 million transfer for the player.
Should he eventually secure a move to the Wanda Metropolitano, Gallagher will be part of Diego Simeone's midfield for the 2024-25 football campaign. His energetic and physically imposing style of play is believed to be a perfect fit for how the Atletico Madrid manager loves to operate.
Gallagher made a combined total of 50 appearances for the Blues during the 2023-24 football campaign. He managed a total of seven goals and nine assists across all competitions last season.