Chelsea have reportedly banished Conor Gallagher from training with the first team as he continues to weigh up a summer transfer.The England midfielder’s future at Stamford Bridge was already uncertain heading into the 2024/25 campaign given he has just a year remaining on his contract with Chelsea, who are seemingly open to cashing in on their homegrown star.
Reports have previously claimed that the Blues have struck an agreement with Spanish side Atletico Madrid, while Premier League rivals Tottenham have also been linked with Gallagher in the past. And while the formalities of any move are being thrashed out, Chelsea have been forced to take dramatic action.
According to The Sun, the 24-year-old has been ‘banished’ from first-team training after holding talks with the club hierarchy at Cobham. It is suggested that he will not be allowed to train with his teammates – or even enter the first-team dressing room – once Chelsea return from their pre-season tour of the USA.These latest developments come after the Blues had offered Gallagher an extended deal. Chelsea put a two-year deal on the table with the option of a further season, but Gallagher has turned down that offer.These latest developments come after the Blues had offered Gallagher an extended deal. Chelsea put a two-year deal on the table with the option of a further season, but Gallagher has turned down that offer.
It is also suggested that the Blues have concerns on how the academy graduate will fit into Enzo Maresca’s possession-based style of play, while Gallagher has been told that he would likely be a squad player under the Italian rather than first-choice.Gallagher made 50 appearances for Chelsea last term in all competitions, scoring seven goals and providing a further nine assists. He also captained the team on a number of occasions.”To be honest, I do not know nothing,” Maresca said when he was asked about Gallagher’s future after a 3-0 win over Club America. “We will see him when we go back there [to Cobham]. I know when I met the club for the first time that there was interest in him. Today, I was focused on the game.”
Gallagher had previously expressed his excitement at working alongside Maresca after his appointment at Stamford Bridge. Speaking during Euro 2024, the midfielder said: “Really exciting. I’ve heard really good things and I’ve seen really good things. Myself and everyone at Chelsea are really happy and excited to work with him.”
Gallagher has gone on to make just under 100 appearances for Chelsea since emerging from the Blues’ academy. He has also earned 18 caps for England in that time. Gallagher was also sent out on a series of loan spells earlier in his career and can count Crystal Palace, West Brom, Swansea and Charlton among his former clubs.