Andy Townsend delivers his verdict on Conor Gallagher’s imminent exit from Chelsea

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TalkSPORT pundit Andy Townsend has been left “surprised” and “disappointed” by what he’s hearing about Chelsea in the transfer rumour mill.

It’s been a busy summer transfer window so far at Stamford Bridge, with plenty of incoming and outgoings.

There’s various reports across the media suggesting that Blues midfielder Conor Gallagher, 24, is now on the verge of leaving to join Atletico Madrid. The Daily Mail claims that Gallagher is set to sign a five-year deal with Atletico, but there’s still been no official announcement from either club yet.

• READ MORE: What Diego Simeone told Conor Gallagher to convince him to leave Chelsea for Atletico Madrid

Andy Townsend upset by imminent Conor Gallagher exit

Andy Townsend has shared his frustration around reports that Gallagher’s seemingly on his way out of Chelsea. He’s particularly upset that the academy graduate has been allowed to leave and suggests he’ll be a big miss in the squad.

“I don’t care how much you want to play whatever style, one touch, two touch, you want people to play through midfield, you want to, you need people like Conor Gallagher in your squad, in and around your club, and I think in your team more often than not if you want to be successful, that type of player,” Townsend told talkSPORT (9:25am, 5 August).

“Dedicated, hard-working, always wants to get out there week in and week out, knows he’s not the greatest footballer, Conor, but has lots of other strong attributes. And you need people like that – solid citizens in your club.

“I am really, really surprised and disappointed actually the way he has been treated.”

How can Chelsea replace Conor Gallagher

In terms of a like-for-like replacement, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall may be the closest thing now to Gallagher in the Chelsea squad. Of course, he’s only just arrived from Leicester City this summer and will have to win the admiration of the fanbase over time.

Gallagher’s one of the best when it comes to energy and work rate, but Dewsbury-Hall has proven he’s got an engine as a box-to-box midfielder.

Chelsea will also need to find a replacement for Gallagher’s goals from midfield. The England international hit seven goals and made nine assists last season across all competitions.

Hopefully, Dewsbury-Hall can replicate the same kind of numbers he showed at Leicester last year, albeit it was in the Championship. The left-footed advanced midfielder had 12 goals and 15 assists across all competitions.