Transfer News: West Ham United are plotting a loan move for Chelsea star Conor Gallagher
According to Andy Dhillon (h/t Football.London), London rivals West Ham United are plotting a loan move for young Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher this summer. Hammers boss David Moyes is ready to make a move for the player and is keeping a close eye on his situation.
Gallagher spent the last season on loan at another London club Crystal Palace and was a sensation there. He has come back and opted to stay and fight for his place in the Chelsea midfield. It sounds like a good idea right now with the current injury problems in that position.
Palace, along with Newcastle United are in the race with West Ham to sign the 22-year-old. Moyes is eager to sign this player as he searches for a more energetic presence in the middle with running power. Gallagher has that in abundance with a good footballing brain.
The England international made 34 Premier League appearances for the Eagles last season, scoring eight goals and assisting three more from central midfield. Not just that, he epitomises the hard work and high level of work rate in the team, under the guidance of midfield great Patrick Vieira.
He did start for Chelsea on Sunday in a 3-0 defeat against Leeds United, with everything going wrong for the team due to individual mistakes. Having a less mobile Jorginho alongside did not help with the combination in that game, especially in the first half. It got better in the second half with an extra man in midfield.
For West Ham, this signing would make sense. Gallagher will add energy, tenacity and running to the Hammers midfield that lacks dynamism. Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek are good technically and physically, but they lack that zest.
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For Chelsea though, having not made a midfield signing yet, letting the 22-year-old go would be a big risk. Right now, they are missing N’Golo Kante and Mateo Kovacic which has lowered the options already. Allowing a midfielder to leave may come back to bite if injury issues persist in that department.