Conor Gallagher during his loan spell with Charlton Athletic (Getty Images)
According to Football.london (h/t Leeds Live), Leeds United are interested in signing Chelsea youngster Conor Gallagher on loan this summer.
The 20-year-old has excelled with loan stints at Charlton Athletic and Swansea City in the Championship during the 2019-20 season. The versatile midfielder scored six goals and provided four assists for Charlton in the first half of the season before making the switch to Swansea.
The move to Liberty Stadium saw him add another seven more assists to his name, thereby helping the Swans reach the Championship play-off semi-final, eventually losing to Brentford. Gallagher’s eye-catching displays for both the sides whilst on loan did not go unnoticed as clubs such as Leeds United and Crystal Palace soon brought up the possibility of signing him permanently.
However, Chelsea are not interested in selling their rising talent and are most likely to send him out on loan, with the senior side already filled with talents in the middle. That said, Leeds have now expressed an interest in bringing him to Elland Road on a loan deal.
Meanwhile, Leeds under manager Marcelo Bielsa has earned promotion to the Premier League after 16 years playing in the lower divisions. They had a successful league campaign this season, which saw them emerge Championship winners and secure their place in the top-flight.
Though Leeds have enough depth in their midfield only two – Mateusz Klich and Kalvin Phillips have been consistent enough. This could turn out to be a major concern when they play in the physically demanding Premier League.
Considering this, roping in a rising talent like Gallagher seems like a safe and wise move by Leeds. Primarily a central midfielder, Gallagher’s versatility allows him to function as a deep-lying playmaker, meaning he could be a good back-up for Whites’ defensive midfielder Phillips.
Hence, Leeds’s attempt to land the Chelsea starlet Gallagher seems a well-thought move and they should land him at Elland Road when they mark their return to the Premier League.
Leeds do not have any established midfielders in their ranks except for Klich and Phillips. Gallagher’s arrival will only add strength to them. Having proved his mettle in the Championship this season, there is no questioning the midfielder’s talent. Also, a loan move for the youngster will save Leeds from spending transfer money.
