The impending departure of Conor Gallagher marks yet another Chelsea academy product leaving Stamford Bridge despite breaking into the first team. The 24-year-old midfielder enjoyed a stellar campaign last season, making 50 appearances for his boyhood club and captaining his side on no fewer than 30 occasions. His displays secured him a spot in the England squad that recently reached the UEFA Euro 2024 final, but it seems that none of that has been enough to secure him a long-term spot in the Blues midfield.
Gallagher looks set to depart for Atletico Madrid, becoming part of Diego Simeone’s squad revamp alongside the likes of Julian Alvarez, Robin Le Normand and Alexander Sørloth. Chelsea will receive £33m for their troubles, but that still looks somewhat of a bargain for Los Rojiblancos, especially because they have bagged themselves an international midfielder with 136 Premier League appearances under his belt already.
Gallagher’s departure is the latest in a long line of academy products that have departed the Bridge, despite breaking into the first team. Since Todd Boehly took over the club back in 2022, he has forked out well over £1 billion on new signings, while academy graduates are shipped out of the club. That has resulted in the Blues falling down the pecking order, with the latest odds from Bovada’s Sportsbook making Chelsea rank +1800 outsiders for the title next season, some way behind +120 favorites Manchester City.
But with Gallagher now leaving the club, how have the other departures fared since leaving?
Mason Mount
Mason Mount’s departure from Chelsea was one of the more surprising exits. After establishing himself as a key player under multiple managers, firstly Frank Lampard before establishing himself even further under Thomas Tuchel, the Englishman’s move to rivals Manchester United in 2023 raised many eyebrows. The former Derby County loanee became an integral figure for both club and country, assisting Kai Havertz’s 2021 UEFA Champions League final-winning goal as well as starting all but two games for England as they reached the UEFA Euro 2020 final.
Since then, however, Mount’s performances have taken somewhat of a nosedive. The addition of Enzo Fernández last January coupled with a pelvis injury saw him pushed down the pecking order and available for transfer. The Red Devils were happy to pay the £55m that Chelsea demanded for his signature, but he hasn’t managed to rediscover his best form at Old Trafford. Mount started just six games in the Premier League last season after further injury woes, and he will be aiming to return to full fitness and the peak of his powers ahead of next term.
Tammy Abraham
Tammy Abraham’s transfer to AS Roma in the summer of 2021 marked a new chapter in his career. Under the tutelage of José Mourinho, the former Bristol City loanee initially flourished in Serie A, becoming Roma’s primary goal threat and a beloved figure at the Stadio Olimpico. His debut season saw him net 27 goals in all competitions, helping Giallorossi secure the maiden UEFA Europa Conference League title with a 1-0 victory against Feyenoord in Tirana.
Abraham’s physicality, aerial prowess, and clinical finishing have made him a formidable striker in Italy. Despite facing stiff competition from seasoned forwards, his consistency and work ethic have seen him maintain his status as one of Serie A’s top strikers. But he too fell off somewhat, especially last term. A cruciate ligament injury saw him miss practically the entire campaign, falling behind Romelu Lukaku in the pecking order and only managing one goal in the Italian topflight.
Fikayo Tomori
Fikayo Tomori’s move to AC Milan has been a revelation. Since joining the Rossoneri, the central defender has established himself as a cornerstone of his side’s defence, anchoring their run to the Serie A title in 2022 as well as his team’s journey to the UEFA Champions League semi-finals the following season. His pace, tackling ability, and composure on the ball have earned him plaudits from fans and critics alike, while his omission from England’s national team has baffled many, especially considering the recent injury to Harry Maguire.
Throughout his time at Chelsea, Tomori was arguably the club’s best central defender, however, the arrival of Thiago Silva saw him fall out of favor. Milan couldn’t believe their luck, bringing him to the club initially on loan before forking out £30m to secure his signature. In the three and a half years since he has gone on to make over 140 appearances for the club and become a beloved figure.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek
Ruben Loftus-Cheek’s career has been plagued by injuries, but his move to Fulham in 2020 on loan and subsequent transfer to join Tomori in Milan last summer has revitalized his fortunes. In West London, the former England international showed glimpses of his potential, but it is with the Rossoneri where he has truly come into his own.
Operating primarily as a box-to-box midfielder, Loftus-Cheek has used his strength, dribbling, and vision to great effect in Serie A. His ability to drive forward and support both defense and attack has made him a valuable asset for Maurizio Sarri’s side that won the UEFA Europa League in 2019, as well as being an interesting option for England coming off the bench at the 2018 World Cup. He has finally been given a chance to shine with a regular starting berth with Milan, and both he and Tomori will be doing their utmost to topple cross-city rivals Inter in the hunt for the Scudetto next term.
