Atletico Madrid is reportedly in advanced talks to sign Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher. Gallagher’s future at Chelsea is uncertain, and he is expected to return to the club’s pre-season training following Euro 2024. However, Enzo Maresca, the new Chelsea manager, has not ruled out the possibility of Gallagher’s departure, stating that “anything can happen” during the transfer window.
Gallagher, who captained the Chelsea academy side for most of last season, has just one year left on his contract. The club initially valued him at £50 million, but they may be willing to accept a lower fee to facilitate a deal. Atletico Madrid, who are also interested in Spanish international Mikel Merino, may not have the funds to meet the £50 million valuation but are hopeful of securing a move for Gallagher.
When asked about Gallagher’s future, Maresca commented that the midfielder will be training with the team at Cobham in the coming days. However, he acknowledged that during the transfer window, anything can happen not only for Gallagher but for all players. This suggests that Gallagher’s future at Chelsea is uncertain and a move to Atletico Madrid could be a possibility.
In addition to Gallagher, Maresca also raised doubts about the future of left-back Ben Chilwell. Maresca admitted that he is yet to find a suitable position for Chilwell in his new system. The manager wants to play with an inverted left-back to allow Reece James and Malo Gusto to get forward and create chances on the right side. This positional change may not be ideal for Chilwell, and Maresca stated that they are trying to find a solution for him. However, he believes that Chilwell needs some time to adjust to the new position.
Chelsea’s pre-season tour of the USA is currently underway. The team has played two friendly matches, drawing 2-2 against Wrexham and losing 1-4 to Celtic. They have three more fixtures lined up against Club America, Manchester City, and Real Madrid. The tour will provide an opportunity for Maresca to assess his squad and make decisions regarding the future of certain players.
In summary, Conor Gallagher’s future at Chelsea is uncertain, with Atletico Madrid reportedly in advanced talks to sign the midfielder. Enzo Maresca, the new Chelsea manager, has not ruled out the possibility of Gallagher’s departure, and the club may be willing to accept a lower fee to facilitate a move. Additionally, Maresca raised doubts about the future of left-back Ben Chilwell, as he is yet to find a suitable position for him in his new system. Chelsea’s pre-season tour of the USA will provide an opportunity for Maresca to evaluate his squad and make necessary decisions.