Rio Ferdinand believes Conor Gallagher is currently fighting for his future at Chelsea.
It’s been a mixed debut season for Conor Gallagher in Chelsea’s first-team squad, which he thoroughly earned off the back of some eye-catching loan spells away from Stamford Bridge.
The 23-year-old player is a graduate from the Blues academy and the latest success story from Cobham.
He’s played in 43 games across all competitions this season for Chelsea and showed the type of energy he’s well known for. The box-to-box midfielder popped up with his third goal of the season during Saturday’s win against Bournemouth as well.
However, the England international isn’t established in Chelsea’s best XI yet and struggles to stamp his authority in some games.
Ferdinand thinks that Gallagher is one of numerous Chelsea players fighting for their futures at the club ahead of next season.
“It’s a good goal [against Bournemouth], a lovely header, to be fair to him. He’s fighting to stay at the club,” Ferdinand said on FIVE’s YouTube channel.
“He’s fighting, along with a few of the other players there, fighting to stay under this new ownership.
“When the new manager comes in, I think he’s still got a lot to do…
“Obviously, a local lad and a young player to come through the academy, so I’m sure he’d love to stay there. It will be interesting to see this summer what happens.”
In our view, Gallagher isn’t one of the individuals in the current Chelsea squad you would bank on having a long-term future at the club.
At the same time, we love the midfielder’s attitude and potential. It’s worth pointing out he’s still only 23, too.
Journalist Dean Jones told GiveMeSport last month that Chelsea would want to make around £50million if they decide to sell Gallagher this summer. He notes that the player himself would like to stay in London, though.
Let’s wait and see what the next permanent manager thinks of the energetic midfielder.