Conor Gallagher was one of Chelsea’s best performers during the 2023/24 season.
However, that did not stop the club from selling him to Atletico Madrid following the arrival of Enzo Maresca.
Gallagher is now set to return to England as he closes in on a move to Chelsea’s London rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
Should Chelsea have tried to rival Tottenham for Conor Gallagher? Have your say! 🤑
Spurs are set to sign the midfielder
Conor Gallagher in action for Atleti
Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
Chelsea once valued Gallagher at £50m but were only able to sell the midfielder to Atletico for £36m in the end.
Head Coach Enzo Maresca of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Everton
Photo by Robin Jones/Getty Images
There was a notion that Gallagher would just not be suitable for the style of football that Maresca was hoping to implement at Stamford Bridge.
However, it was a narrative that the 25-year-old rebuked after his move to the Riyadh Air Metropolitano.
In response to claims that he would not have been able to play in Maresca’s system, Gallagher told The Telegraph in a 2024 interview: “I don’t think that’s true, personally. I think last season I had a good season with Chelsea and you could see by [Mauricio] Pochettino playing me every game and showing his trust in me.
“And the fans appreciated what I did on the pitch. I’m very grateful for all of that and very thankful to the fans, and very thankful to Pochettino for giving me that platform to go and express myself and show the best version of myself at Chelsea.”
Romeo Lavia’s injury record could force Chelsea to sign a new midfielder in 2026. Who would you buy if Kobbie Mainoo isn’t available?
Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson and Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton have both been mentioned 👀
Chelsea midfielder Romeo Lavia preparing a pass and Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo jogging
Credit: Shaun Brooks – CameraSport/Catherine Ivill – AMA via Getty Images
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
It does not matter now, with Gallagher on his way to Tottenham and Maresca no longer at the club. But given all of Romeo Lavia’s injury problems, the Englishman could have been an asset.
Gallagher will now have to face Lavia — if the Belgian is fit — and Chelsea, who are being led by Liam Rosenior following Maresca’s exit. Rosenior has already been warned about what lies ahead as the Blues’ new manager.
Conor Gallagher of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and West Ham United
Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images
When Conor Gallagher could make return to Chelsea
Chelsea have already played Tottenham this season, beating their London rivals 1-0 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Joao Pedro scored the game’s only goal after some excellent work from Moises Caicedo.
The reverse fixture at Stamford Bridge is scheduled for 17 May 2026, so that is when Gallagher could make his return to his old stomping ground.
Rosenior’s side will be hoping to have Champions League qualification wrapped up by then, but much improvement is needed between now and that point if they want to find themselves in such a position. Chelsea are currently eighth in the Premier League table, something that Rosenior needs to change quickly.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best Chelsea content each week direct to your mailbox