Simon Jordan has backed Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher to join Unai Emery’s Aston Villa over Brighton and Hove Albion.
It was suggested to the former Crystal Palace owner that Conor Gallagher is wanted by Roberto De Zerbi’s Brighton.
But he added that he would be ‘surprised’ if the Chelsea midfielder moved to the Amex Stadium, and instead, he expects a move to teams that are ‘bigger and bolder’ like Aston Villa, as he told talkSPORT (15/06/23 at 11:45 am).
With new boss Mauricio Pochettino being able to field two or three first-team players, it’s pretty obvious that a clear-out is needed at Stamford Bridge this summer.
That’s why the future of someone like Gallagher, who is also an England international, is being questioned, with Liverpool also emerging as a surprise candidate to sign the player this summer.
Even though both Villa and Brighton are in Europe this term, Jordan explained why a move to the Midlands is better than going to the South Coast.
“There is one thing going out on loan to Crystal Palace,” said Jordan. “It’s another thing signing, you have been a moderate regular at Chelsea this season.
“Chelsea are now in a bit of a funk and they are expected to come back and be strong again next season. I would be surprised if he went to Brighton. I think he will be looking for a different kind of move. I understand the argument around Robert De Zerbi and the achievements of Brighton.
On where Gallagher would go: “It depends who is in the market for him. If the option is put to him, ‘Brighton or nowhere’, then you might find yourself at Brighton.
“But if there are a variety of different football clubs, like the Aston Villa’s of the world that might be in for him. Maybe it’s the Palace-Brighton thing.
On Brighton being in Europe, just like Villa: “I get it. But Brighton are having their moment. They are having a wonderful moment and they are a wonderfully run football club. But I think there will be a levelling off from the sides that have done remarkably well against the sides that traditionally are bigger, better and bolder football clubs.”
Gallagher needs to leave Chelsea
The 23-year-old can consider himself lucky that he gets picked for England because his minutes, nor his form, this season warrant it.
But when he was starting on a regular basis at Crystal Palace, he deservedly broke into the England set-up and proved his worth.
An all-action midfielder, with energy to burn, strong in a tackle and an eye for a goal, he needs to leave Chelsea in order to take his game to the next level because he won’t progress in the chaos of that club.
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