Conor Gallagher, according to Glen Johnson, would jump at the chance to leave Liverpool for Chelsea if they offered him game time
Gallagher was expected to break into Chelsea’s first-team this season after a fantastic loan spell at Crystal Palace last season, but the midfielder has struggled to make an impact.
He has only contributed two goals in 35 games this season, compared to 13 in 39 for the Eagles, with neither Thomas Tuchel nor Graham Potter sure what to do with the England international.
To be sure, being a regular in the Blues’ XI was always going to be difficult, but thanks to the January record-signing of Enzo Fernandez and the recent return of N’Golo Kante, Gallagher has a fighting chance.
While the return of Frank Lampard and the appointment of a new manager in the summer may rejuvenate Gallagher, many believe he will be one of the first players to leave Stamford Bridge at the end of the season.
Palace, Everton, Newcastle, and West Ham are still interested in signing him, but a surprising new club has entered the race, with the Independent reporting that Liverpool are interested.
The Reds are looking for a new midfielder this summer, and Jurgen Klopp has turned his attention to Gallagher and Chelsea teammate Mason Mount after dropping his pursuit of Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham.
Former Chelsea and Liverpool defender Johnson believes the young star is willing to leave his boyhood club for a rival team, telling Betfred: ‘He certainly has potential and a lot to learn.
‘He’s capable of one day playing for Liverpool, but I don’t think he’s quite there yet. He can certainly thrive under a good manager, which explains why Liverpool is interested in him.
‘He’s not getting much game time for Chelsea, and he’ll want to go and play, so Liverpool might be able to get him for a low price.
‘If I’m being honest, I think he’d bite Liverpool’s arm off to get that opportunity.’
Gallagher has two years left on his contract and is worth around £28 million, which is significantly less than what Mount could cost Liverpool.
He could make his next appearance for Chelsea on Wednesday night, when they travel to Real Madrid for the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie.
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