Conor Gallagher made his first Premier League start in Chelsea colours away at Elland Road on Sunday afternoon.
But it wasn’t the nature of that 3-0 humbling – Thomas Tuchel’s ‘better team’ comments laughable in the face of such a disjointed, error-strewn performance – that should have the England international seriously considering his future between now and next week’s transfer deadline.
Gallagher played just six minutes against Everton and Tottenham Hotspur on matchdays one and two. A long-awaited first start in West Yorkshire, however, raised more questions than it did answers. Chief among them; Does Tuchel know how to get the best out of a player who, during last term’s loan spell at Selhurst Park, established himself as one of the Premier League’s most efficient goalscoring midfielders?
Starting Gallagher in a deep-lying double-pivot, as Tuchel did at Leeds, feels like a colossal waste of the academy graduate’s talents. Like bringing Jimi Hendrix back to life and asking him to play Wonderwall.
Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher must secure Crystal Palace return
Palace boss Patrick Vieira appeared to have accepted defeat in his hopes of bringing Gallagher back to Selhurst Park.
“This is not our decision,” Vieira says. “It has to be made by Chelsea if the player is available, then Conor has to make a decision.
“We’re just like any other club; focusing on players who are available The situation is not in our hands. There’s no control so it’s pointless to talk about it.”
But never say never. According to the Daily Mail, however, there is still a chance – albeit a slim one – that the 22-year-old could be made available; although for an eye-watering £35 million fee.
Newcastle United and West Ham have shown an interest. Crystal Palace, however, believe they could have the edge. Such confidence is unlikely to be misplaced.
Tuchel is yet to prove that he knows how to get the best out of Gallagher. But the same cannot be said of Vieira. It was the former Arsenal captain who gave Gallagher the freedom to do what he does best; breaking into the box at will. He scored eight Premier League goals in South London, forcing his way into Gareth Southgate’s England plans.
Chances exist for Gallagher at Stamford Bridge. But if he wants to build on an exceptional 2021/22 season, start games week-in, week-out while enhancing his prospects of a seat on the plane to Qatar, then a return to Crystal Palace may be an opportunity too good to turn down.
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