‘I saw Coutinho’: Ian Wright unhappy at 22-year-old’s situation involving Palace & Chelsea

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Ian Wright has claimed that it’s ‘unfair’ Conor Gallagher can’t play for Crystal Palace against Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-final, as he told the Kelly & Wrighty Show on PL Productions (24/03/22 at 1:25 pm).

The former striker added that Gallagher, who is on-loan at Palace from Stamford Bridge, should be allowed to play in the FA semi-final.

Loan rules stipulate that a player can’t compete against his parent club in any given competition.

Of course, Gallagher hasn’t played against Chelsea in the Premier League this season, nor will he do so again at Wembley.

Given the magnitude of a game this is for Patrick Vieira’s side, Wright isn’t liking the current rules that are in place, as he used Phillipe Coutinho as an example.

“I believe if you have given that player over to somebody,” said Wright. “Then, he develops and does what he’s doing. I don’t feel you should stop him.

“How’s he going to feel not being able to play in the semi-final? Yes, it’s against Chelsea, but that’s just the way it goes.

“I saw Coutinho play against Barcelona at Bayern Munich. I know it’s a selfish thing.

“You have let him out again and he has developed into an England international. And you are now stopping him from playing in a semi-final, which he can’t do for you, so it’s unfair. It’s unfair.” 

It’s proof that the loan system works that Gallagher has gone from trying to make a name for himself in the Premier League to now being an England international.

Whilst this one game would provide the 22-year-old with the feeling of what it’s like competing in such a pressure environment.

At the end of the day, given his talent and platform, he will get plenty more chances in his career.

There’s no doubt that Palace will be disappointed because, as they proved against the Premier League champions Manchester City, Gallagher is such an important cog to their wheel.

But, at the end of the day, everyone knows the rules before a ball is kicked, so it’s not like it’s some sort of surprise.