Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has recently defended the club’s decision to sell several of its academy players, including Conor Gallagher. The new manager has attributed this trend not to any strategic choice by Chelsea, but rather to the regulations imposed by the Premier League.
Maresca commented, “It’s not Chelsea’s problem. It’s the rules problem.” He further explained, “The clubs are compelled to sell players because of the rules.” He emphasized, “It’s not a Chelsea problem, it’s a Premier League problem,” indicating that the club is adhering to regulations that affect how it handles its player roster.
In a notable case, Conor Gallagher, a well-regarded academy graduate of Chelsea, has verbally agreed to join Atlético Madrid. This decision came after Gallagher was informed that his role at Chelsea would be significantly reduced under Maresca’s management. Gallagher, who was a crucial part of the squad last season with 50 appearances, has reportedly agreed to a five-year contract with Atlético Madrid, valued at €40 million. Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has confirmed this, noting, “Understand Conor Gallagher’s prepared to travel to Madrid on Tuesday to complete his move to Atlético.”
The decision to sell Gallagher follows a similar move regarding another academy graduate, Trevor Chalobah. Chelsea chose to exclude Chalobah from their pre-season tour in the United States and is reportedly open to offers for him. The club cites an abundance of players who can fulfill the role Chalobah plays as the reason for this decision.
