"It's imperative that the club keeps him"- Joe Cole warns Chelsea over transfer of ‘brilliant’ footballer

Despite their financial issues, former Chelsea icon Joe Cole has urged the club to retain Conor Gallagher in the upcoming transfer window. The 24-year-old midfielder has spent most of his time out on loan since joining Chelsea at the age of eight.

After signing a three-year deal with the Blues in 2019-20, the Englishman spent the year out on loan to Championship sides Charlton Athletic and Swansea City.

During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Gallagher signed a five-year deal with Chelsea and was sent on loan to West Bromwich Albion. He was loaned to Crystal Palace for the 2021-22 season.

Gallagher made his debut for the west London outfit in a 1–0 away win against Everton in the Premier League in 2022-23. Chelsea rejected a bid from West Ham United for the Englishman in 2023. In the same season, in the absence of Reece James and Ben Chilwell due to their respective injuries, the 24-year-old captained the side in Chelsea's 0-0 draw with Bournemouth.

In 50 appearances across all competitions in the 2023-24 season, Gallagher scored seven goals and managed nine assists. In a young midfield side comprising Moisés Caicedo and Enzo Fernandes, the Englishman has quickly become a reliable player, prompting Joe Cole to call him a 'great player.'

Here's what Cole said while speaking to talkSport:

"Conor Gallagher can't leave. I know there are issues financially but Conor Gallagher has been brilliant, from start to finish. Everyone has turned up in the last few weeks but Conor, you see a great player when he is playing in a struggling team. Conor was still there, captain as well. I think it is imperative that the club keeps him."

The 24-year-old has been a regular starter under gaffer Mauricio Pochettino. If he's sold in the summer, the west London outfit could use the surplus to sign new players. However, having a homegrown midfielder like him, especially when they're promised European competition next season, could make all the difference.

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Chelsea secure European competition despite a harrowing season

The Blues secured European competition despite a lean season.

They finished strong, remaining undefeated in all games following their 0-5 mauling at the hands of Arsenal on April 23. Pochettino's men finished sixth on the table and are guaranteed a place in the Europa League next season. However, they could be demoted to the Europa Conference League should Manchester United defeat bitter rivals Manchester City in the final of the FA Cup on Saturday, May 25.

Be that as it may, a European spot following an otherwise uneventful season will give the Blues a lot of confidence going into the next season.