Chelsea legend Joe Cole pleads with owners not to sell 'most important player' Conor Gallagher
Chelsea legend Joe Cole has pleaded with the club's owners not to sell Conor Gallagher this summer amid strong ties he will leave.
Gallagher could be allowed to leave Chelsea this summer as he enters the final year of his contract with no sign of a new deal in sight.
Tottenham and western ham He is rumored to be in place of the England international, who could leave for £50million.
But the former Chelsea star Cabbagewho played 282 games for the 'bleus' in seven years, reiterated his opinion on the matter. having told talkSPORT earlier this month that selling Gallagher is a bad idea.
Speaking to talkSPORT at an event organized by TNT Sports Ahead of the Champions League final, Cole said: “If I was sitting in front of the owners I would tell them that Conor is possibly the most important player in that dressing room in terms of what he brings to the club. He understands the club.
“This is before we start talking about their performances on the field, because I think in the last 56 games everyone played very well. Everyone played well.
“Players come off the bench and affect games, but in difficult moments is when you see what our players were really worth, when you know when things are not going well.
“And Conor was always available, pushing his team to perform and be serious, taking the ball.
“I think it is vital for the club to retain him. I don't understand the financial aspect.
“I know it's beneficial to sell academy players, and you know, I admit, hands up, I don't understand that side of it.
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“But if you look at it from a purely football perspective, he is among the three most important players in that locker room.”
Gallagher has only missed one Premier League game this season and that was due to suspension.
Mauricio Pochettino had made the midfielder his de facto captain with James Reece and Ben Chilwell injured for most of the season.
And the 24-year-old proved to be one of the team's only consistent players during an uneven campaign for the Blues.
While several key players have also been injured in midfield, including Romeo Lavia, Carney Chukwuemeka and Enzo Fernandez, Pochettino has been able to rely on Gallagher.
He played a variety of roles, including in defensive midfield and in more advanced positions, including playing on the wing when necessary.
However, Pochettino has since been removed from his position as Chelsea head coach in what could be the clearest indication that Gallagher will leave.
But, as a fan favorite at Stamford Bridge, he may not go down well with Chelsea fans, least of all club legend Cole.
