Former Chelsea star Joe Cole has urged the club’s owners not to sell Conor Gallagher with the midfielder strongly linked with a move away this summer.
Gallagher could be sold for financial reasons as the Blues look to ensure they comply with the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules.
The 24-year-old is out of contract in 2025, and no serious talks over a new deal have taken place, with the Englishman linked with a move to Tottenham and Newcastle.
Cole urges Chelsea owners not to sell Gallagher
Gallagher missed just one Premier League game last season, and was the only Chelsea player to make 50 or more appearances as he established himself as a key player under the now departed Mauricio Pochettino.
The England international captained the Blues for large parts of last season due to the absence of Reece James and Ben Chilwell through injury, but Chelsea are said to value him at around £50m.
With his team-mates picking up injuries, Gallagher managed to stay fit for the entire campaign and was a player Chelsea could always rely on.
The academy graduate showed his versatility by performing a number of roles across midfield including a more advanced number ten role, as well as appearing on the left wing on occasions.
Ex-Blue Cole, who is a huge fan of Gallagher has urged the club to think twice about selling the midfielder, describing him as one of the most important players in the dressing room.
“If I was sitting in front of the owners, I’d be telling them that Conor is arguably the most important player in that dressing room in terms of what he brings to the club, he understands the club”, Cole told talkSPORT.
“This is before you start talking about his performances on the pitch, because I think the last 5-6 games everyone played really well, everyone was playing well.
“Players come off the bench affecting games but during the difficult times, that’s when you see what our players were really worth, where you know when things are not going well.
“And Conor was always there available, driving his team on going and being grave, getting on the ball.
“I think he’s vital for the club to keep him, I don’t understand the financial side of it.
“I know there’s a benefit to selling players from the academy, and you know, I’ll admit, hands up I don’t understand that side of it.
“But if you are from a purely footballing perspective, he’s in the top three most important players in that dressing room.”
Joe Cole is right, selling conor Gallagher is like selling the whole Chelsea Fc as things stands now