Jamie Carragher has savaged the "mess" made by Chelsea owner Todd Boehly as one of their key players heads for the exit door in January.
In a frantic finale, the Blues withstood a grandstand finish to beat Luton in the Premier League on Saturday, prevailing 3-2 despite leading 3-0 after 79 minutes. It meant a second straight three points after the midweek win over Crystal Palace, ahead of a January transfer window where the club are again expected to be active.
Conor Gallagher played 90 minutes for Mauricio Pochettino's men, but did so amid mounting speculation over the midfielder's future. It's been widely reported that Tottenham are in talks over a potential transfer, with Ange Postecoglou having tracked the England international ever since he arrived in north London in the summer.
And Pochettino's hands could be tied if he wants to add to his squad next month, with Chelsea on the limit of Financial Fair Play following their lavish spending under the American. Seemingly having to sell before they can buy again, allowing the 23-year-old to leave would free up funds.
"Gallagher has been Chelsea’s best player this season along with Cole Palmer, this just shows what a mess the new ownership have made at the club," wrote Carragher on social media. "Selling an academy player because it helps with FFP."
Indeed, Gallagher has played 19 times for the club in the 2023/24 campaign, and was handed the captain's armband in the absence of the injured Reece James. His run of games has followed four separate loan spells since signing his first senior contract at Stamford Bridge in 2019.
HAVE YOUR SAY! Should Chelsea keep Conor Gallagher? Comment below.
And since returning ahead of the 2022/23 season, he's caught the eye of England coach Gareth Southgate. Indeed, Gallagher travelled to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, although was unused during the tournament.
Since Boehly took over from Roman Abramovich in May 2022, Chelsea have spent more than £1billion and employed four different managers, albeit one of them - Frank Lampard - in an interim role. And their hopes of recuperating some of their spending with Champions League qualification appear slim, despite back-to-back league wins.
The new top has been claimed to "build on more than a century of tradition" and is a fresh update to the iconic kit that gave Spurs the nickname, the Lilywhites. There's a subtle but distinct linework pattern running through the new shirt that's said to have been inspired by "the borough’s vibrant music scene and streetwear culture of the borough of Tottenham"
Pochettino's side now lie 10th, temporarily closing the gap on the top four to nine points. But that's having played more games than all of the sides above them, with the League Cup - where they face Middlesborough in a two-legged semi final in January - currently representing their best chance of glory this season.
Join our new WhatsApp community! Click this link to receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.