Pundit verdict on Chelsea sealing Conor Gallagher deal after £20m development
Conor Gallagher will not leave Chelsea this summer, according to Gabby Agbonlahor.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Aston Villa and England attacker delivered his verdict after Chelsea bolstered their midfield ranks with the signing of Carney Chukwuemeka.
The Blues confirmed earlier this month (4 August) the surprise signing of the 18-year-old from Aston Villa.
Sky Sports reported the same day that they have paid a £20million fee for Chukwuemeka who was in the final 12 months of his contract at Villa Park.
The new signing did not make Thomas Tuchel’s nine-man bench for the 1-0 win over Everton at Goodison Park last week (6 August).
Gallagher came off the bench in the closing stages to make his competitive debut for his boyhood club.
And Agbonlahor has backed the England international to build on his debut and get regular game time with the Blues.
He told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley: “It’s hard because is going to Chelsea going to give Chukwuemeka game time? No, it’s not.
“With [Ruben] Loftus-Cheek and Gallagher, there are so many players in front of him.
“I feel like Conor Gallagher will play games.
“He came on against Everton and did well when he came on.
“He just needs that start, he’s not started a game for Chelsea, obviously.
“He’s one that will definitely stay there and get game time.”
Gallagher has amassed 65 Premier League appearances, scoring 10 goals and providing five assists during loan spells with West Brom and Crystal Palace.
The 22-year-old’s performances with Palace earned him an England call-up last November and he now has four international caps.
In other news, Chelsea have been backed to complete the signing of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang after an update.