Chelsea's use of Conor Gallagher in the first games of the Premier League season has been questionable. The midfielder was a late substitute in the matches against Everton and Spurs before making his first start against Leeds United in a calamitous 3-0 defeat. His full home debut was over inside half an hour after being sent off against Leicester.
To say that this has been an anti-climax is perhaps underplaying the disappointing start for Gallagher. He was seen as a player ready to come into Thomas Tuchel's midfield straight away, but that hasn't proved to be the case so far. Although this is in part largely down to being played in a position that he didn't thrive in at Selhurst Park last season, Gallagher is still very much in the reckoning despite a rocky start.
Tuchel may have been harsh on the Englishman in his assessment, not allowing Marc Cucurella's poor cross to make up part of the reason for Gallagher's second booking, but the manager has been a long term admirer of the player and nearly kept him last season.
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The early season disruption for Gallagher matched with a system that isn't suited to him and no obvious answer as to where he fits in has led to Premier League teams making a move. Everton, Newcastle, West Ham and Crystal Palace have all been keen on signing the player with the raised possibility of using him in a swap deal for Anthony Gordon also discussed, but Chelsea don't want to let Gallagher move on.
With his eight goals and three assists across London last season, Palace have now made the first move with a £27million bid, according to The Times. Although the offer is small compared to his realistic value, the Blues are also in talks with Wilfried Zaha as the Ivorian enters his final contracted year. The bid could be a genuine conversation starter, or it could be a hit back at Chelsea for their insistence around Zaha when Patrick Viera's camp have remained insistent that he's not for sale.
The bid also raises an important area of transfers that Todd Boehly is learning quickly. Whereas Chelsea have been offered £27million for a full international with eight league goals last season from midfield, Everton are demanding north of £50million for Anthony Gordon who is two years younger, uncapped and only scored four goals last term.
In this landscape where transfer fees are so high, the larger teams are being forced somewhat into a tough dilemma. Palace know the situation with Gallagher: he still wants to make Gareth Southgate's World Cup squad and needs minutes, he doesn't fit the current system and he is incredibly talented. He is also of less value comparatively to Chelsea than Gordon is to Everton, which also goes some way to explaining the fee attached.
Chelsea would likely reject a bid so low for a young England international, but it does indicate that the balance of power is moving away from the sides with more money. In return, the value of young prospects goes up for other clubs in an attempt to keep their stars and therefore clubs like Chelsea need to pay an inflated price. Whilst in return their own young players, such as Gallagher, become the attention of smaller bids in an attempt to use the use the situation to snap up players on a cheaper deal.
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