Conor Gallagher

[Hazelton]

If he's coming in as a squad option, fine, but if he's coming in and going straight in to the team ahead of Sarr for example then it's an overwhelming no from me. I'd much rather go for an Ederson type and pick up Barkley on a free to help cover.

 

[Ghost Hardware]

I agree 100% on Gallagher.

Personally though I really don't want to see us signing another specialist 10 at this point.

Not with Donley, Devine, and Moore all coming through.

That's England's best playmaker at U20, U19, and U17 age groups.

Failing to create pathways for them would be a criminal waste of talent and potentially damage our reputation as a destination for elite talent.

Moore in particular is a really special talent and I don't want to block him with a short term squad filler.

Nor do I want us to go big on a 10 with greater needs at CF, RWF, LWF, DM, LCB, RB, LB, 2nd GK.

Ideally I'd keep Gio for another season, but if that's not possible I'd rather go big on a more cultured and expansive no.6.

This would allow us to play with two 8s (from Sarr, Bentancur, Kulu, and Bergvall) whenever Maddison is out, and still control games and create tons of chances.

Personally I’d be all for keeping Gio as I rate him but I think it’s unlikely given his contract and Ange’s reluctance to give him any meaningful minutes. I also think it’s unlikely we wouldn’t get a playmaker to replace him. He might be a more versatile one than Gio like Baena but he will still primarily be a playmaker.

I think one needs to take into consideration Ange’s apparent approach to playing youth. Maybe that changes next season with more games but I won’t be holding my breath. Imo Donley has to go out on loan next season, if he stays I think he will get very few minutes and at this point in his development it’s vital for him. Logically Devine would be the player to first start pushing for a spot but he has struggled a little at Plymouth from what I’ve seen and I think he will also get another loan, hopefully we can find him one in the PL but I very much doubt it. Moore is obviously a big talent but he will still be a few years away plus he is versatile and can also play wide. No doubt he will be given a loan first also. In reality it might be another few seasons before we see any of them start playing a significant role in the first team.

Really your same concerns could be raised in regards the back line. We have Phillips who has really impressed since going on loan plus we have Vusković who looks a big talent joining next year. Plus we have Dorrington who’s also highly rated. I think one could raise valid concerns on the future of all three players given the age of our current 3 defenders and the high likelihood of us getting another CB this summer. If anything Phillips is the one youth player that looks most ready to take a place in our squad but it’s not going to happen.

Re playmaker unfortunately with Gio off, Maddison’s susceptibility to injuries, Kulu being incredibly off form and Ange’s reluctance to play the youth I think it’s inevitable we bring one in. I think failing to do so could be hugely detrimental to our season next year as without Maddison or Gio we significantly lack creativity in the midfield. Like I said at the beginning, I’d actually keep Gio if it was up to me, give him a year extension whilst the youth develop on loan then funnel the money set aside for an AM into the front line and maybe go big on Kvara for example. But that’s not going to happen.

 

[Guntz]

If he's coming in as a squad option, fine, but if he's coming in and going straight in to the team ahead of Sarr for example then it's an overwhelming no from me. I'd much rather go for an Ederson type and pick up Barkley on a free to help cover.

I agree with you 100%.

But if Gallagher is Ange’s #1 midfield target, then he’s not coming to sit on the bench.

He will be a starter most games.

 

[Styopa]

If he's coming in as a squad option, fine, but if he's coming in and going straight in to the team ahead of Sarr for example then it's an overwhelming no from me. I'd much rather go for an Ederson type and pick up Barkley on a free to help cover.

You say that but Sarr is still very young and young players are highly susceptible to dips in form, especially after breakout seasons. We have also seen players like Kulusevski and Bissouma suffer big dips in form. Even Udogie.

We need to have sufficient options to be able to rotate and freshen things up without having to change the whole shape of the team or approach. I don’t have an issue with Hojbjerg or Skipp but I don’t necessarily see them as long term alternatives when for example Sarr is injured or out of form or needs a rest because we’re playing two or three matches a week.

We can’t have first team starters and back ups. We need a squad full of players who think they should be starting.

 

[FloridaSpur]

I agree with you 100%.

But if Gallagher is Ange’s #1 midfield target, then he’s not coming to sit on the bench.

He will be a starter most games.

Would be an excellent addition to the starting lineup.

Started every game this season three goals and six assists, and can play in transition between DM and AM. Box to box midfielder with pace and stamina.

Right in Ange's wheelhouse.

 

[ItsBoris]

Would be an excellent addition to the starting lineup.

Started every game this season three goals and six assists, and can play in transition between DM and AM. Box to box midfielder with pace and stamina.

Right in Ange's wheelhouse.

Except we already have too many of the box to box type player, what we really need is a true defensive midfielder. If he comes what 3 players do we use in midfield?

 

[spursville]

If we are really continuing to be linked to him then it's a bit underwhelming (and expensive) to be honest. Would he get into Man City or Liverpool's starting eleven for example? Do we have any more ITK on this?

 

[ItsBoris]

If we are really continuing to be linked to him then it's a bit underwhelming (and expensive) to be honest. Would he get into Man City or Liverpool's starting eleven for example? Do we have any more ITK on this?

I mean I rate him as a player and I said before I think he’s a Klopp type player, but to me it only makes sense if we’re selling a few midfielders. The way Bissouma is playing lately though I’d rather have Gallagher

 

[Cel]

Except we already have too many of the box to box type player, what we really need is a true defensive midfielder. If he comes what 3 players do we use in midfield?

When they are all out of form, like now? Him and 2 others. I would sell Bissouma.

 

[FloridaSpur]

Except we already have too many of the box to box type player, what we really need is a true defensive midfielder. If he comes what 3 players do we use in midfield?

Likely if not for sure Pierre will be off, and I think Skipp too.

Will free up some space and money.

 

[ItsBoris]

Likely if not for sure Pierre will be off, and I think Skipp too.

Will free up some space and money.

But then we still have Bentancur, Bissouma, Sarr, Bergvall coming in who are more #8/box to box than they are DM. Lo Celso also kind of between an 8 and a 10. So even selling those two, we're gonna have 5-6 players who are more box to box and no player who's a real DM if we sign Gallagher.

 

[GutBucket]

But then we still have Bentancur, Bissouma, Sarr, Bergvall coming in who are more #8/box to box than they are DM. Lo Celso also kind of between an 8 and a 10. So even selling those two, we're gonna have 5-6 players who are more box to box and no player who's a real DM if we sign Gallagher.

Definitely overkill on box to box but Ange said that he doesn't care about number 6,8 stuff or something like that. I definitely think that he will try to sign Gallagher but we could use Palhinha type more. He is 29 so maybe someone younger, like Onana. POK said we are interested in him. He is also great in air and would help with set pieces.

 

[JamieSpursCommunityUser]

Personally I’d be all for keeping Gio as I rate him but I think it’s unlikely given his contract and Ange’s reluctance to give him any meaningful minutes. I also think it’s unlikely we wouldn’t get a playmaker to replace him. He might be a more versatile one than Gio like Baena but he will still primarily be a playmaker.

I think one needs to take into consideration Ange’s apparent approach to playing youth. Maybe that changes next season with more games but I won’t be holding my breath. Imo Donley has to go out on loan next season, if he stays I think he will get very few minutes and at this point in his development it’s vital for him. Logically Devine would be the player to first start pushing for a spot but he has struggled a little at Plymouth from what I’ve seen and I think he will also get another loan, hopefully we can find him one in the PL but I very much doubt it. Moore is obviously a big talent but he will still be a few years away plus he is versatile and can also play wide. No doubt he will be given a loan first also. In reality it might be another few seasons before we see any of them start playing a significant role in the first team.

Really your same concerns could be raised in regards the back line. We have Phillips who has really impressed since going on loan plus we have Vusković who looks a big talent joining next year. Plus we have Dorrington who’s also highly rated. I think one could raise valid concerns on the future of all three players given the age of our current 3 defenders and the high likelihood of us getting another CB this summer. If anything Phillips is the one youth player that looks most ready to take a place in our squad but it’s not going to happen.

Re playmaker unfortunately with Gio off, Maddison’s susceptibility to injuries, Kulu being incredibly off form and Ange’s reluctance to play the youth I think it’s inevitable we bring one in. I think failing to do so could be hugely detrimental to our season next year as without Maddison or Gio we significantly lack creativity in the midfield. Like I said at the beginning, I’d actually keep Gio if it was up to me, give him a year extension whilst the youth develop on loan then funnel the money set aside for an AM into the front line and maybe go big on Kvara for example. But that’s not going to happen.

I agree with all of that, and I'd rather keep Gio and loan the youngsters out also.

My point is we can't sustain a specialist back up 10 in the squad, for precisely the same reason Gio will be leaving.

They're not going to get enough game time.

Not enough match rhythm to hit form and progress.

And anyone good enough to be close to Madders level is surely only going to take it for the money, or promises that can't be kept.

Which is why I think we would need to replace Gio with EITHER a WF who can play 10 (an Eze or Olmo perhaps).

OR a versatile CM - a really good passer - who can play 6/8/10 and/or provide that incision from deeper as a 6.

Someone like Koopmeiners or possibly Dewsbury-Hall.

This would also leave pathways open for Donley, Moore, Devine when their time comes.

 

[Danny1]

I have to be honest and say I can see a bit of an overhaul of our midfield / forward line happening over the next couple of windows. It would not surprise me to see us sell any of the below if an offer came in:

Ndombele, PEH, Skipp, Bissouma, GLC, Gil & Richarlison.

That would leave us with

Midfield - Sarr, Bentancur, Bergvall, Maddison
Forwards - Son, Kulusevski, Johnson, Solomon.

Now obviously we won't sell all of them, however I look at that and couldn't hand on heart say I'd miss any of them. If we were to add Gallagher, another midfielder (Gray) & a striker then I actually think we are pretty covered for next season.

 

[Stamford]

It's nothing to do with him being Chelsea but more is he going to take us to the next level. And I dont feel like he is at all.

 

[ItsBoris]

Definitely overkill on box to box but Ange said that he doesn't care about number 6,8 stuff or something like that. I definitely think that he will try to sign Gallagher but we could use Palhinha type more. He is 29 so maybe someone younger, like Onana. POK said we are interested in him. He is also great in air and would help with set pieces.

Yeah I mean I don't care about it either, but we need someone who can stay a little deeper in front of the defense, has good positional awareness, and can take the ball from defenders and move it forward. I don't think you can really play possession football without someone like that. Against Newcastle it was too easy to play through us because we didn't have a player like that, we had too many players forward looking to receive the ball.

I listened to Ally Gold's podcast today and he said we are looking for that mould of player so that's good news. If Gallagher comes in addition I think that's fine with the number of games we'll have next season and the need for a large squad.

 

[talkshowhost86]

He's been better than Bissouma, Sarr and Bentancur this season.

Sarr I think has the scope to improve, and at his best has been great this season, but neither Bissouma or Bentancur have been consistent enough IMO.

I'm not saying I'd shift them all out or that Gallagher is the only answer, but in terms of form I'd say its naive to say he wouldn't get into our current team.

 

[Ghost Hardware]

I agree with all of that, and I'd rather keep Gio and loan the youngsters out also.

My point is we can't sustain a specialist back up 10 in the squad, for precisely the same reason Gio will be leaving.

They're not going to get enough game time.

Not enough match rhythm to hit form and progress.

And anyone good enough to be close to Madders level is surely only going to take it for the money, or promises that can't be kept.

Which is why I think we would need to replace Gio with EITHER a WF who can play 10 (an Eze or Olmo perhaps).

OR a versatile CM - a really good passer - who can play 6/8/10 and/or provide that incision from deeper as a 6.

Someone like Koopmeiners or possibly Dewsbury-Hall.

This would also leave pathways open for Donley, Moore, Devine when their time comes.

Tbh I think there is no real justification why Gio hasn't been getting more minutes and I would even add that the lack of competition might well have had an adverse effect on Maddison's performance. There is obviously more to his drop in form but no player should be or feel undroppable when off form especially when there is another player who has looked sharp when given a chance. I understand that Ange only wants to give minutes to players he wants to keep next season but I feel Gio has done more then enough to prove that he is deserving of more game time. But thats not a discussion for this thread.

I get what your saying tho but in general for me we can't go into next season with Maddison being untouchable. If we get into some form of European comp the amount of games we will be playing will take its tole on all of the squad and considering how intense our tactics are Ange will have to rotate much more then he is doing currently. Even if you factor out Maddison's inury record it would be very silly of Ange to assume he will be able to perform at a high level all season. Its just not sustainable. I would hope that whoever we bring in to replace Gio will get Ange's seal of approval and thus be given a real chance to compete with Maddison rather then just understudy him.

That said I think you are completely right tho re players we will target. Baena and Guðmundsson who we are supposedly looking at both tick that box, if Eze was cheaper im sure we would look at him and if Olmo didn't have his injury issue im sure he'd also be on the list. Considering how many options we have at 8 i think it will more likely be a 10 who can play on the wing rather then a 10 who can play deeper but ether way he will be versatile. But ether way if Gio goes we need another playmaker even if he isn't solely a AMC.

Ultimately with PEH likely off I think DM will be addressed regardless of our other business. The same for the WF position and LCB given the reports. Those three I think will be almost certainly guaranteed. Beyond that I think a replacement for Gio and another for Richy will certainly also be on the cards IF they go.

How Gallagher factors into all that I don't know.

 

[FloridaSpur]

But then we still have Bentancur, Bissouma, Sarr, Bergvall coming in who are more #8/box to box than they are DM. Lo Celso also kind of between an 8 and a 10. So even selling those two, we're gonna have 5-6 players who are more box to box and no player who's a real DM if we sign Gallagher.

LoCelso will be gone as well.

If and after Saturday it's a big if we make a European competition four midfielders simply isn't enough for a sustained run in any competition.

Biss, Bents, and Madders have all been out injured at some point this season.

 

[Archibald&Crooks]

If he's used how Palace used him and where IIRC he did really well and I think he got forward a lot more, he could do really well here. When he was there, a lot of people on SC were whopping their todgers out and decorating the walls over him

Having said that, I can't see it happening, which means he's probably already halfway to holding up the shirt