Clever Chelsea negotiation already looking to be the right decision as loan star shines

Chelsea endured something of an exodus over the summer, as a number of young stars from their fruitful Cobham academy departed the club. 

Many players left the club permanently, with the likes of Lewis Bate, Myles Peart-Harris and Timo Livramento joining Leeds United, Brentford and Southampton respectively.

Since then, Livramento has shone on the south coast and looks to have already made Chelsea question whether they were right to let him leave.

The Englishman followed in the footsteps of Tariq Lamptey, who left the Blues to head South and join Brighton a year previously, and has also since been outstanding.

As well as the handful of permanent departures, another selection of Chelsea youngsters left on loan, in search of valuable experience in order to better prepare themselves for if and when a first team chance arises.

Armando Broja followed Livramento to St. Mary’s and has since grabbed his first Premier League goal, while Ethan Ampadu ventured a little further afield and joined Venice-based Venezia for what is his third loan spell away from SW6.

Of all of the players to have departed Cobham this summer, however, young midfielder Conor Gallagher has undoubtedly impressed the most since.

The Englishman joined the new-look Crystal Palace side, under the guidance of former midfielder Patrick Vieira, and has been sensational in the opening three months of the campaign.

Now, as per the Daily Mail, it has emerged that Chelsea refused to include an option-to-buy clause in his loan agreement with Palace, a move which already looks to have been justified.

After a brace against West Ham in the Eagles’ first away trip of the season, Gallagher has since scored two more goals and registered two assists.

Gallagher earned a first England cap in the 10-0 win against San Marino.

His most impressive performance so far came in Palace’s victory over Manchester City at The Etihad, during which he scored one and set up Wilfred Zaha for the other.

The 21-year-old’s meteoric rise was rewarded this week, as he was called up to the England senior squad for the first time, and made his debut as a half-time substitute in the 10-0 rout of San Marino.

With the likes of Mason Mount, Reece James, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Callum Hudson-Odoi all graduating from Cobham to the first team in recent seasons, Gallagher will be confident of following in their footsteps.

Gallagher has wasted no time in endearing himself to the Eagles fans, and Chelsea supporters will undoubtedly be excited at the prospect of him playing for the club in the near future.

With the likes of Mount, Mateo Kovacic, N’Golo Kante, Loftus-Cheek and Jorginho all sharing the minutes at the heart of Thomas Tuchel’s midfield at present, though, the youngster may have to wait a little longer for his chance.