"Most random transfer this summer", "Sold their best midfielder" - Fans react as Chelsea have reportedly sealed deal to sell Conor Gallagher
Chelsea have reached an agreement to sell Conor Gallagher to Atletico Madrid, according to reports. Fans are in disbelief that the Blues have offloaded the midfielder this summer.
The west London outfit have been active this transfer window, keen to reinforce the squad in preparation for the 2024-25 campaign under new manager Enzo Maresca.
They have signed a host of players, including Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Tosin Adarabioyo, and youngsters like Marc Guiu, Renato Veiga, and Omari Kellyman, amongst others.
Chelsea have had some departures as well, including Thiago Silva, Hakim Ziyech, Ian Maatsen, and Omari Hutchinson. According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, the Blues have now agreed to a deal with Atletico Madrid to sell Conor Gallagher.
Supporters cannot believe that the west Londoners have sold the 24-year-old, with some questioning why they would let go of arguably one of their best players.
"Sold their best Midfielder...it's crazy," wrote one fan.
"Chelsea made the wrong decision 🤦🏾 losing a player like Conor will hunt them," wrote another fan.
Here are some more reactions:
"As a Chelsea fan I am gutted but the show must go on as they say, thanks for everything Conor," commented one fan.
"What an upgrade for Gallagher," claimed another.
"Most random transfer this summer," one fan wrote.
The Englishman played a key role last season, helping Mauricio Pochettino's side finish sixth in the Premier League and secure European football. He scored seven goals and provided nine assists in 50 appearances across all competitions.
Atletico Madrid have reportedly secured the midfielder's services on a five-year contract and will pay the Blues a sum of €42 million. Gallagher is set to appear for a medical for his new club on Wednesday (August 7), per Romano.
Enzo Maresca explains why Chelsea are 'compelled' to sell academy stars like Conor Gallagher
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has offered an explanation as to why the club are offloading academy stars like Conor Gallagher.
Questions have been raised over the Blues' transfer business of late. In particular, Chelsea's inclination towards selling the likes of Gallagher while purchasing young talents for substantial sums of money has been criticized.
Trevoh Chalobah, who came through the club's academy and played an important role at the tail end of last season, was excluded from their pre-season squad. This has caused speculation over his future at Stamford Bridge.
Maresca insists that the Blues have been forced to offload such academy stars due to the Premier League's rules. He said:
"But this is not Chelsea's problem. These are the rules. All the clubs at this moment are compelled to sell players from the academy because of the rules. It's all of the Premier League clubs' problems."
He added:
"Absolutely. I also think the intention of the club is not to sell players from the academy, but it is the rules at the end that you have to do it. It's not only us; it's all the Premier League clubs."
"It's a shame because in Italy we have Francesco Totti at Roma, 20 years with the same club. A one-club man — we love that in football; the fans want to see that. But with the rules now, it is different from the past."
The Blues have played five pre-season games so far, losing three, winning one and drawing one. They most recently faced Real Madrid on Tuesday, August 6, losing 2-1 to the La Liga giants.