Former Chelsea winger Pat Nevin believes there is a case for not recalling from his loan spell at Crystal Palace during the January transfer window.
The Blues are struggling for numbers in the middle of the park due to injuries but Nevin feels that Gallagher is much better suited to playing further forward; an area where manager Thomas Tuchel already has a good number of options:
“The only downside is the similarities with Mason Mount. Mount is back on a real good stream of games right now. The problem with Gallagher is, they are probably all right there, they are okay in that position.”
Nevin does make a good point. It is not only Mason Mount but the likes of Hakim Ziyech and Kai Havertz who like to play in similar areas to Gallagher.
Having scored six goals and provided three assists for Palace already, though, it is not surprising that there is a clamour among some fans to bring the 21-year-old back to Stamford Bridge in January.
Tuchel will have to decide whether Gallagher’s development is better served by staying at Selhurst Park or whether he needs him to play a role in the second half of the season for Chelsea.
