This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…
Chelsea loanee Conor Gallagher is currently thriving at Charlton under Lee Bowyer’s tutelage.
The 19-year-old has scored four goals in ten Championship starts – he has also grabbed one assist.
Gallagher also won the EFL Young Player of the Month award for August, hitting an eye-catching run of form that has not gone unnoticed.
The teenager has received a maiden England U21 call-up for his efforts, while a significant figure in Chelsea’s Claude Makelele has popped down to south London to receive an update on the midfielder from Charlton.
Bowyer revealed that the Blues are “delighted” with how Gallagher is developing at The Valley, and their efforts in aiding the Englishman’s development could land them more benefits than just his fine showings on the pitch – just ask their south London rivals Crystal Palace.
“I think he’s even surprised Chelsea. I don’t think they knew how far he could go so soon. They had people come in on Thursday. Makelele came in to speak to us about the loan, how Conor is getting on, their thoughts on him and they’re delighted.”
The Eagles performed a similarly fine task when taking Ruben Loftus-Cheek on loan for the 2017/18 season, where the midfielder enjoyed an excellent campaign that saw him secure a seat on Gareth Southgate’s plane for the 2018 World Cup.
It was a development Roy Hodgson cited as one that strengthened relations between Palace and Chelsea, and one that the 72-year-old also revealed was a key factor in the Eagles landing Michy Batshuayi on loan ahead of other clubs.
Back in January, Tottenham and West Ham were keen on the Belgium international, but were quoted £8m and £4m respectively by the Blues if they wanted to take the 26-year-old on loan, as The Independent reveal here.
Tellingly, Chelsea then allowed Palace to have Batshuayi for just £1m, mainly due to the good relationship between the two sides, as Hodgson revealed.
“A lot of it has to do with the relationship with Chelsea and Crystal Palace, Chelsea people and our chairman, Steve Parish. I thought we did a very good job last year with for Chelsea with Ruben Loftus-Cheek, he did a great job for us, we didn’t exactly send him back as a worse player or a player with less value, I think that stands in our favour.”
Charlton will of course benefit on the pitch from seeing Gallagher come on leaps and bounds, but Palace have proved that there may be even more bonuses in store for the Addicks if they can keep Chelsea happy.
