"I can't speak on behalf of the club but I can have my opinion" - Gary Cahill offers opinion on Chelsea forcing Conor Gallagher out of club
Former Chelsea defender Gary Cahill has said that he would want midfielder Conor Gallagher to remain at the club. His remark comes amid reports that the 24-year-old is close to joining Atletico Madrid.
Gallagher was one of the Blues' best players last season behind talisman Cole Palmer. The Englishman managed seven goals and nine assists in 50 appearances across all competitions and played the most minutes for the club. With Reece James and Ben Chilwell out injured, Gallagher also donned the captain's armband.
However, if recent reports are to be believed, the academy graduate is being nudged out of the club, with Atletico Madrid being potential suitors. Chelsea have accepted a £34 million offer for Gallagher, with the ball now in his court. The midfielder has spent his time away on loan at several clubs, including West Bromwich Albion and Crystal Palace.
Cahill, however, believes that the Englishman needs to stay at the club as he sets the game's tone. Here's what he said (via The Athletic):
"I cant speak on behalf of the club but I can have my own opinion. From the outside looking in, I would love him (Gallagher) to stay. Since he broke into this Chelsea team, we’ve seen the managers playing him, giving him the responsibility of having the armband, clearly seeing day in, day out what he brings. That’s why they’re playing him and that’s why they’re giving him such a big role, a responsible role, at that age.
"So I think he epitomises a lot of the kind of the way he sets the tempo, the way he presses, his attitude. Everything that I’ve heard and know about him, I really like. Aside from that, he’s a top player. So in my opinion, I’ve got a lot of time for him."
Cahill joined Chelsea in January 2012 from Bolton and left the club at the end of the 2018-19 season, making 290 appearances.
Tottenham Hotspur trying to hijack Atletico's deal for Chelsea midfielder Gallagher
According to a report by the Football Insider, Tottenham Hotspur are planning to hijack the Spanish giants' move for Conor Gallagher. Ange Postecoglou's side have been eyeing developments around Gallagher's future at Chelsea since January and are keen on bringing him on board to bolster their squad.
Despite a sedate start to last season and a few hiccups here and there, Spurs managed a fifth-place finish. It enabled them to play in the UEFA Europa League next season.
It is believed that Gallagher would prefer to stay in England should he leave the west London club in the transfer window. However, there haven't been many developments at the Spurs camp in the last few weeks.