• 24-year-old was the nervy Blues’ saviour with a late strike to beat Leeds 3-2 
  • But his status as an academy product means he represents pure profit for PSR 
  • Chelsea were gutless to play for penalties. Liverpool have a cause, Mauricio Pochettino’s side are soulless – Listen to the It’s All Kicking Off podcast

When it came down to it, Chelsea’s saviour in Wednesday’s nervy FA Cup victory over Championship outfit Leeds was not one of their multimillion-pound men, of which they have plenty.

It was Conor Gallagher – the Cobham graduate, one of their own, the homegrown hero who is having a display organised for him by We Are The Shed, the fan group behind the impressive tifo on show at Wembley Stadium on Sunday. He is also, from a callous perspective, a player that represents pure profit when it comes to the Premier League’s PSR rules.

Barring a breakthrough in talks over an extension, Gallagher will have only a year left on his contract this summer, which is when Chelsea are expected to listen to offers all over again – with Tottenham known admirers of the gifted grafter who has won possession in the final third more than any other player in the Premier League this season.

West Ham are among those to have shown an interest in previous windows, yet one well-placed source has talked down the prospect of them re-entering the race.

Chelsea would much rather deal with the likes of them than commit transfer treason with Tottenham, though West Ham sense the asking fee will still be north of £45million. Not a crazy valuation by Chelsea’s standards, considering Mason Mount was sold to Manchester United for £55m rising to £60m with a year remaining and they wanted £50m for Armando Broja in January.

Conor Gallagher (right) proved the difference during Chelsea's nervy FA Cup win versus Leeds

Conor Gallagher (right) proved the difference during Chelsea’s nervy FA Cup win versus Leeds

Mauricio Pochettino is an enormous fan of the midfielder and would be sad to see him move

Mauricio Pochettino is an enormous fan of the midfielder and would be sad to see him move

The 24-year-old has impressed in an uneven season in west London for his dogged work rate

The 24-year-old has impressed in an uneven season in west London for his dogged work rate

Yet Gallagher’s performances on the pitch are also impacting the wages he can command in the event of an exit, which West Ham suspect will stand at around £150,000 per week. This, the source says, is likely to limit his availability to clubs competing in the Champions League.

Co-sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart were at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday to see Gallagher secure the 3-2 win over Leeds as a substitute. It was a nice moment for the 24-year-old who is never shy in saying he ‘loves’ the club he has occasionally captained.

Manager Mauricio Pochettino wants him to stay – describing him as ‘priceless’ and showing his support for him after his missed chances in the Carabao Cup final loss to Liverpool – but he has been here before. Tottenham sold one of their most talented players Mousa Dembele in January 2019 when his contract was expiring and their second half of the season suffered in his absence, even if they did add some cash to the coffers.

Ange Postecoglou at Tottenham is one of his admirers - but the Blues would be unwilling to see him move to a loathed rival

Ange Postecoglou at Tottenham is one of his admirers – but the Blues would be unwilling to see him move to a loathed rival

During his loan stint at Crystal Palace, then-coach Patrick Vieira singled him out as a key talent

During his loan stint at Crystal Palace, then-coach Patrick Vieira singled him out as a key talent

Gallagher was not sold in the winter window and that benefitted Chelsea on Wednesday. Without his FA Cup winner, their campaign could now be as good as over, had their leggy players entered into extra time against Leeds at Stamford Bridge. Instead, they remain in the competition which could secure them silverware alongside European football.

Mail Sport interviewed Patrick Vieira towards the end of his time as Crystal Palace manager. He no longer had Gallagher on loan, but Vieira was all too willing to discuss why he was one of his favourite players, saying of his passion: ‘Conor was the perfect embodiment of that. He gave everything.’

Managers value Gallagher more than money, though whether he will be wearing a Chelsea shirt next season remains as uncertain as ever.

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Post source: Daily mail

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