Conor Gallagher could return to the Chelsea squad next term specifically as cover for N’Golo Kante.
This is according to the Evening Standard, who suggest the Blues are seriously considering reclaiming Gallagher’s services to offer to support to their France international.
Does Kante really need a supporting cast?
In the past, Kante has been the one providing shelter for two players.
His ability to consume such distance and swallow opponents whole often left teammates with a light days’ work.
However, thanks to age and repeated trips to the treatment table, the 30-year-old is not the all-encompassing machine he once was.
It is perhaps because of the injury problems that Kante’s key trait has lost some shine over the past few years.
This may also be the reason behind Chelsea’s apparent desire to find a suitable back-up or possible long-term replacement.
Possible options
The obvious candidate would be Aurelian Tchouameni, Monaco’s starlet midfielder that the Stamford Bridge hierarchy have been tracking for some time.
Tchouameni plays the holding role extremely well and even admitted that one of his footballing role models was Kante himself.
Yet, the Monaco gem is wanted by several of Europe’s heavy hitters, meaning the Blues cannot guarantee his services in the future.
They can, however, be more confident in reintroducing Gallagher to Thomas Tuchel’s team.
Gallagher the go to
Currently on loan with Crystal Palace, the Cobham academy graduate could quite easily be recalled by his parent employers once the campaign concludes.
Of course, Palace and some other Premier League clubs might have something to say about this, but their arguments will fall by the wayside if Chelsea pull rank.
Could they really be blamed for wanting to extract the Englishman’s talents?
He’s arguably been the signing of the season, performing wonderfully for Palace across his entire spell.
“His work rate in midfield is phenomenal… Would he play ahead of (Ruben) Loftus-Cheek? Probably, I could see him playing ahead of Loftus-Cheek,” said former Blues goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer.
Loftus-Cheek is one of the midfielders Gallagher would have to contend with if he returned to Chelsea, but based on current form, only one players wins this battle.
It’s the energy that Schwarzer mentioned that makes the soaring Eagle an ideal understudy to Kante.
There’s still some life left in the Parisian, yet, before long, he will need to pass on the baton.
For the long-term, Gallagher could quite easily carry that torch.
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