Joe Cole sets out his Chelsea transfer strategy and includes Conor Gallagher's ultimatum
Chelsea legend Joe Cole has insisted Conor Gallagher cannot leave this summer after telling the club which players to sign.
Gallagher has been strongly linked to a move away from Chelsea this summer as he enters the final year of his contract despite being a popular player among fans.
Tottenham is one of the favorites for his signing, while talkSPORT understands Aston Villa They have also entered the race for the 24-year-old.
But Blues legend Cole has stated that selling Gallagher would be a big misstep by his former club, who believes they should sign players who are setting an example in the dressing room.
Speaking to talkSPORT at Ballerz, a new state-of-the-art football center in Bluewater, Cole said: “Conor Gallagher I can `t go. I know there are financial problems, but Conor Gallagher has been brilliant, from start to finish.
“They've all turned up in the last few weeks, but Conor, you see a great player when he plays in a struggling team. “Conor was still there, so was the captain.
“I think it is imperative that the club retain him.”
Gallagher has been a key player for Mauricio Pochettino this season and has been Chelsea's de facto captain in the absence of James Reece and Ben Chilwell but he could play his last game for his boyhood club on Sunday.
The midfielder has only missed one Premier League match this season due to suspension and has scored seven goals and provided nine assists in all competitions.
But as well as being the heart of Chelsea, he has also helped in the dressing room, despite only being in his second season as a first-team player at Stamford Bridge.
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With Thiago Silva Additionally, there are fears that there is not enough experience at the club to help guide one of the Premier League's youngest teams, an issue Cole believes should be addressed in the summer.
The 42-year-old, who made 282 appearances for the Blues in seven years, added: “What's very important is summer recruitment. You need experience, I wouldn't say anywhere specific.
“I don't think the club needs to incorporate more young players, they need experience.
“Very similar to what Bayer Leverkusen Have done. They brought in Jonas Hofmann and another veteran player (Granit Xhaka), that cannot be valued.
“I think that if I advised the club, it would be two or three players. Experienced players who know how to win games, good character, they set the tone in the locker room.”
chelsea is already on the edge to sign Brazilian prodigy Willian Estevao, continuing its policy of acquiring the best talents in the world, although the 17-year-old will not join until 2025.
Other players linked include RB Leipzig star Benjamin Sesko, Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran and Benfica ace Joao Neves, all of whom are aged 20 or younger.
