02 January 2024 , 00:42
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Chris Sutton claims it is "remarkable" that there is talk of Chelsea selling Conor Gallagher to Tottenham this month.
The Blues midfielder, who has captained the side for the majority of the season, is being linked with a switch across London despite being regularly used by Mauricio Pochettino. Gallagher's contract at Stamford Bridge is winding down and an extension does not appear near.
The Daily Mail reports that Chelsea are considering offloading Gallagher with Tottenham among those keen on the Englishman. They are conscious of the 'pure profit' he would bring, given he's come through the academy, which would aid their Financial Fair Play situation.
Sutton though was stunned that the west Londoners were considering the move, insisting that two decades ago such a switch would be unthinkable and was a damning reflection on Chelsea's ambition.
Speaking on the Daily Mail's It's All Kicking Off podcast, he said: "That is remarkable that we are talking about one of Chelsea's best players moving to Tottenham in January." Sutton went on to add: "When you think of the last 20 years, it shouldn't work that way round. Spurs could sell their best player to Chelsea, but when was the last time something like this happened? It's quite staggering - the Chelsea captain moving to Tottenham.
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"Where's Chelsea's ambition with this? Where are they hoping to finish? If you're a Chelsea supporter, if you sell Conor Gallagher to Tottenham, you're thinking 'what on earth is going on' and Todd Boehly is making it up as he goes along."
The club's recruitment has been heavily criticised since the American took charge from Roman Abramovich. Incredible sums have been spent, yet the Blues are facing another mid-table season without a trophy. Some of their marquee signings have found themselves on the bench with Gallagher starting ahead of them.
Conor Gallagher's future at Chelsea remains uncertain (Getty Images)Pochettino has previously admitted that the midfielder's contract situation is out of his control but made it clear that he felt players like Gallagher were key. “That is between the club and the player," he said.
“I don’t need to talk too much because it is not my decision. He is in the starting eleven in nearly all the games and is one of the captains. For me, he is the type of player that the club needs to have.
“He’s important because of his Chelsea values. He came from the academy and knows the identity of the club and he is very committed. You can see on the pitch how he runs, plays, and fights. He gives everything and he is a really important player. All coaching staff want this type of player in their team.”