Chelsea have potentially irked Mauricio Pochettino by reportedly making available for sale a key player he highly values.
Stamford Bridge has witnessed another disappointing season on the pitch, failing to match the club’s ambitious spending off it.
Despite significant investments in the summer window, which brought in Axel Disasi, Moises Caicedo, Romeo Lavia, Cole Palmer, Christopher Nkunku, and Nicolas Jackson, Chelsea’s acquisitions haven’t met expectations. While Palmer impressed, injuries sidelined Lavia and Nkunku, yet the rest of the signings have largely disappointed, contributing to Chelsea’s 12-point gap from fourth place.
Recent reports from the Evening Standard indicate Chelsea’s intentions to splash cash once again in the upcoming window. However, to afford high-profile signings, the club plans to generate funds through player sales. Notable names reportedly on the transfer list include Trevoh Chalobah, Malang Sarr, Ian Maatsen, Marc Cucurella, and Armando Broja.
Adding fuel to the fire, journalist Ben Jacobs revealed Chelsea’s risky move by also putting Conor Gallagher on the selling block, potentially causing friction with Pochettino.
Gallagher, the dynamic 23-year-old midfielder, has been a consistent starter in nearly every league match for Chelsea this season, even assuming captaincy on multiple occasions. Pochettino’s public praise for Gallagher showcased the player’s significance and the trust the Argentine manager has in him. Despite Gallagher’s commitment, passion, and pivotal role, Chelsea is reportedly seeking a substantial £50m fee for his services.
Although interest from clubs like Newcastle, Tottenham, and Everton emerged last summer, no transfer materialized for Gallagher. Despite his consistent and promising performances this season, Chelsea’s stance appears unaltered: Gallagher remains available for the right offer, potentially straining relations with their manager.