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August 6, 2024

Enzo Maresca identifies the party responsible for Conor Gallagher’s departure to Chelsea fans – EPL

Credit to English Premier League Image Gallery

Enzo Maresca firmly asserts that he is a victim of circumstance, expressing a profound sense of helplessness regarding the sale of beloved fan-favorite Conor Gallagher. He emphasizes that, despite his desire to retain Gallagher, external factors beyond his control have led to this problematic situation, leaving him unable to intervene effectively.

Chelsea has parted ways with several academy graduates in recent years, making significant changes to their squad. Among these departures, Conor Gallagher has now surfaced as the most recent player linked with a move to Spanish club Atletico Madrid. This speculation adds to the growing list of homegrown talents that the club has let go, highlighting a trend that has raised concerns among fans about the future of their academy system.

Gallagher, who joined Chelsea’s academy at the tender age of eight, has developed into a promising talent. He currently holds a contract that extends until 2025, which outlines his commitment to the club for the foreseeable future. However, this contract also includes the possibility that he could leave Chelsea for free once it expires, raising questions about his long-term future with the team and the potential impact on the club’s financial strategy regarding player retention.

Since selling academy-developed players is classified as pure profit on financial statements, many Premier League teams increasingly recognize the value of homegrown talent as a viable revenue stream. This approach allows clubs to leverage their youth systems effectively, turning promising players into financial assets. By capitalizing on these young talents, teams aim to offset financial losses and improve their overall fiscal health, highlighting the strategic importance of nurturing and developing players from their academies.

Maresca reportedly views the 24-year-old England international as a squad player, primarily due to the specific playing style he plans to implement at Chelsea. He believes that Gallagher’s role within this framework may not align with the team’s strategic objectives. 

Nevertheless, the Italian manager stresses that Premier League regulations largely influence the decision to let the fan favorite depart. These rules have created constraints that impact roster decisions, leaving him with little choice despite his admiration for Gallagher’s talent and contributions to the club.

‘But this is not Chelsea’s problem, these are the rules,’ Maresca commented when asked if academy players would face challenges in securing a place in the Blues’ first team.

‘All the clubs at this moment are compelled to sell players from the academy because of the rules. It’s all of the Premier League clubs’ problems.

Credit to English Premier League Image Gallery

‘I also think the intention of the club is not to sell players from the academy but it is the rules at the end that you have to do it. It’s not only us, it’s all the Premier League clubs.

‘It’s a shame because in Italy, we have Totti with Roma, 20 years with the same club. One-club-man; we love that in football, the fans want to see that. But with the rules now it is different than the past.’

‘If they want to protect academy players, then probably yes (they need to change the rules).’

In response to the suggestion that Gallagher had essentially been considered excess to needs, Maresca replied: ‘Nobody is going to be a regular starter because if I say someone is going to be a regular starter, I think it is a lack of respect.

‘For them, they need to work day by day very hard and show me and convince me they are to play but nobody knows.

‘In this moment, there is something between the club and the player; an agreement to stay or to leave. These kinds of things happen in every club, every summer and in the end the final decision will be good for everyone. Hopefully the final decision will be good for Conor and the club.’