Conor Gallagher

[dontcallme]

I find it so hard to even figure out whether I would personally want Gallagher without knowing the price. I guess that's true of all transfers, but there's a big range in the prices that get thrown around for Gallagher. If it's in the 30 - 35 million range (Chelsea need to sell, one year left, etc.), then I get the appeal even if I ultimately agree with everyone else that a true 6 and 10 are more obvious needs. But if we're paying closer to what Chelsea seem to want (50-60+ million), then it makes no sense to me. The risk - reward is all thrown off and that's a Vicario- or Dragusin-sized difference in transfer fee. Plus, it would likely come with higher wages, agent fees, etc. so much more significant outlay.

Yeah there’s definitely a lack of uncertainty with the signing.

I think back to his Palace days and thinking he was really good and his playing style from then would be a good fit for us. Poch seems to really rate him and considering his focus on professionalism that’s a good sign.

But then he isn’t doing anything special or standing out so maybe he isn’t quite good enough.

 

[worcestersauce]

Let's be honest, if he played for Palace and not Chelsea the mood would be more positive.
I reckon we will let Sessegnon and Skipp go in the summer so unless people think we should just cut our midfield options by selling Skipp and buying nobody the argument we don't need someone like him doesn't hold up.
We are going to need a full squad over the next few years as we'll be challenging on all fronts.

Cant believe we'd spend so much of our budget on Gallagher.

Id much prefer we'd target a proper 6 or at least someone who appears to exhibit the qualities needed for that position.

Id much prefer the young lad at Leeds, Archie Gray.

I'd be happy to sign Archie Gray but eventually you have to sign a ready now player as well.

 

[rabbikeane]

Sofascore stats have him as the 21st best player this season with a 7.31 rating. The player above him is Douglas Luiz, while only Spurs players above are Pedro Porro and Son. Definitely not the complete player, but better than people think?

 

[CanadaSpurs]

I can’t believe some on here actually rate him. A glorified Skipp

Genuinely forgot Skipp existed. Is he hurt?

 

[zonbon32]

Pissed all over our midfield tonight, sign him up!

 

[funkycoldmedina]

Pissed all over our midfield tonight, sign him up!

This, I've never got the dislike for him, he's a top level presser, a consistent performer, with good game awareness, everything we're lacking in midfield

 

[zonbon32]

This, I've never got the dislike for him, he's a top level presser, a consistent performer, with good game awareness, everything we're lacking in midfield

He also has that toughness that Ange wants more of. Apart from Romero and Richarlison occasionally, we are such a powederpuff team

 

[HildoSpur]

This, I've never got the dislike for him, he's a top level presser, a consistent performer, with good game awareness, everything we're lacking in midfield

It's because he is a Chelsea lad.

 

[purplemonkey]

I think we need to prioritise mentality above all else with the next phase of recruits. Ange pinpointed the problem in his post match interview - to play such positive, high risk football in a sustainable manner in such a competitive league requires unwavering conviction, courage and belief. I think that’s what he was referring to when he said he wished the other players were more like Romero - he was the only one who was proactive, grabbed responsibility and took the game to Arsenal last weekend.

This is where someone like Gallagher fits in. Whether he’s a 6 or an 8 or a regista or an mezzala is frankly not that important right now. We first need to raise the floor of this team to a point where we have a group of competitive, self-driven players who can ride the waves, carry out the manager’s vision and set the standards. Gallagher is certainly a bar raiser in that respect. This summer has to be about finding those characters and building a core that can carry the rest of the team, just as Gallagher and Palmer have done with Chelsea. Then we can fine tune and hone in on specific skill sets and technical qualities to achieve the right balance and ultimately raise the ceiling.

 

[Ghost Hardware]

I think we need to prioritise mentality above all else with the next phase of recruits. Ange pinpointed the problem in his post match interview - to play such positive, high risk football in a sustainable manner in such a competitive league requires unwavering conviction, courage and belief. I think that’s what he was referring to when he said he wished the other players were more like Romero - he was the only one who was proactive, grabbed responsibility and took the game to Arsenal last weekend.

This is where someone like Gallagher fits in. Whether he’s a 6 or an 8 or a regista or an mezzala is frankly not that important right now. We first need to raise the floor of this team to a point where we have a group of competitive, self-driven players who can ride the waves, carry out the manager’s vision and set the standards. Gallagher is certainly a bar raiser in that respect. This summer has to be about finding those characters and building a core that can carry the rest of the team, just as Gallagher and Palmer have done with Chelsea. Then we can fine tune and hone in on specific skill sets and technical qualities to achieve the right balance and ultimately raise the ceiling.

Whilst I agree mentality is important we are also severely lacking technical ability and speed of thought across the whole team and especially in midfield. Really we have two midfielders that qualify in that regard, Bentancur and Gio, and one of them will likely be gone.

As much as Gallagher is a hard worker he is not a technical player and will not help improving the speed at which we move the ball. This is something we desperately need to address and we should only be looking for players that are both mentally strong and technically adept with good football intelligence if we want to succeed with our current system.

 

[funkycoldmedina]

Whilst I agree mentality is important we are also severely lacking technical ability and speed of thought across the whole team and especially in midfield. Really we have two midfielders that qualify in that regard, Bentancur and Gio, and one of them will likely be gone.

As much as Gallagher is a hard worker he is not a technical player and will not help improving the speed at which we move the ball. This is something we desperately need to address and we should only be looking for players that are both mentally strong and technically adept with good football intelligence if we want to succeed with our current system.

That player isn't out there. Gallagher reminds me of what Liverpool fans thought of Henderson, no one saw the value in him until maybe a season or so of Klopp. His attitude, consistency and work rate are not be sniffed at in an Ange team. Sarr has been really inconsistent this season, Bergvall is an unknown quantity, there's no one else on everyone's preferred list who can bring that consistency criteria to our midfield so I'll have to respectfully disagree that there's better out there.

 

[Ghost Hardware]

That player isn't out there. Gallagher reminds me of what Liverpool fans thought of Henderson, no one saw the value in him until maybe a season or so of Klopp. His attitude, consistency and work rate are not be sniffed at in an Ange team. Sarr he's been really inconsistent this season, Bergvall is an unknown quantity, there's no one else on everyone's preferred list who can bring that consistency criteria to our midfield so I'll have to respectfully disagree that there's better out there.

Sorry bud I disagree, there there are plenty of hard working technical players out there, many just don't play in the PL, aren’t HG (although I'd take Gray over Gallagher given his massive potential and the fact he can play DM plus RB) and currently being flogged by Chelsea in order to raise funds. I also don't think Gallagher is on everyone's preferred list, this thread is pretty much testament to Gallgher massively splitting opinion. Some really want him, others really don't.

Unless i misunderstand your post, and if so i'm sorry, but you list Bergvall and Sarr as examples of why there aren't better out there then Gallagher. I struggle a little to understand that logic and it doesn't really relate to my point. I already said Bentancur and Gio are the only two currently that really suit our system although from watching him in game I think Bergvall will fit in well eventually. He will need time tho. My point is that there are more technically gifted players then Gallagher playing for other teams. Essentially we don't need to limit ourselves to Gallagher as to me he isn't technical enough for our midfield.

Ether way, as I said, some rate Gallagher and others don't, so yes i agree to disagree regarding him being our best option otherwise we will just go round in circles.

The point is somewhat moot anyway as our priority in midfield is a DM. Bentancur is one of the few players we have that technically fits the system and Sarr has shown it in flashes. He is still only 21 and this is his first season in the PL, im fairly confident he will be better next year, there also won't be AFCON breaking up his campaign. This was a transitional season for the whole squad.

With PEH off and Biss seriously off the pace we need a starting DM first and foremost. As much as some might well want a new CM we aren't going to be buying three midfielders (a DM, CM and AM) on top of 1 or 2 WF a CB, a back up GK and possibly a CF and FB. Counting only one winger that would be 8 players in one window. Maybe if we retained Gio then that would allow us to get another CM or If Ange wants to use Bentancur as our starting DM next season. At this point we need to prioritise the areas that are weakest, DM is certainly the most at present and if Gio goes AM will also be. Unless Ange intends to use Gallagher in DM then i just don't see how he is a priority for this window. And that goes for any CM not just Conor.

 

[funkycoldmedina]

Sorry bud I disagree, there there are plenty of hard working technical players out there, many just don't play in the PL, aren’t HG (although I'd take Gray over Gallagher given his massive potential and the fact he can play DM plus RB) and currently being flogged by Chelsea in order to raise funds. I also don't think Gallagher is on everyone's preferred list, this thread is pretty much testament to Gallgher massively splitting opinion. Some really want him, others really don't.

Unless i misunderstand your post, and if so i'm sorry, but you list Bergvall and Sarr as examples of why there aren't better out there then Gallagher. I struggle a little to understand that logic and it doesn't really relate to my point. I already said Bentancur and Gio are the only two currently that really suit our system although from watching I think Bergvall will fit in well eventually but he will need time. My point is that there are more technically gifted players then Gallagher playing for other teams. Essentially we don't need to limit ourselves to Gallagher as to me he isn't technical enough for our midfield.

Ether way, as I said, some rate Gallagher and others don't, so yes i agree to disagree regarding him being our best option otherwise we will just go round in circles.

The point is somewhat moot anyway as our priority in midfield is a DM. Bentancur is one of the few players we have that technically fits the system and Sarr has shown it in flashes. He is still only 21 and this is his first season in the PL, im fairly confident he will be better next year, there also won't be AFCON breaking up his campaign. This was a transitional season for the whole squad.

With PEH off and Biss seriously off the pace we need a starting DM first and foremost. As much as some might well want a new CM we aren't going to be buying three midfielders (a DM, CM and AM) on top of 1 or 2 WF a CB, a back up GK and possibly a CF and FB. Counting only one winger that would be 8 players in one window. Maybe if we retained Gio then that would allow us to get another CM or If Ange wants to use Bentancur as our starting DM next season. At this point we need to prioritise the areas that are weakest, DM is certainly the most at present and if Gio goes AM will also be. Unless Ange intends to use Gallagher in DM then i just don't see how he is a priority for this window. And that goes for any CM not just Conor.

I think Gallagher is the type beachhead player we need that comes in and gives us 7.5/10 performances every week that allows space for Sarr/Bergvall to develop. It may well be that he then transitions to being a squad player.
It also looks like we're not specifically in for a DM so maybe Ange has other ideas for the composition of his ideal midfield?

 

[Ghost Hardware]

I think Gallagher is the type beachhead player we need that comes in and gives us 7.5/10 performances every week that allows space for Sarr/Bergvall to develop. It may well be that he then transitions to being a squad player.
It also looks like we're not specifically in for a DM so maybe Ange has other ideas for the composition of his ideal midfield?

That might well be the case. But what ever way we build our midfield we need someone to sit deeper, cover and do the defensive work. Even if we move towards a double pivot we still need someone of that ilk. What we know is it won't be PEH as he will likely be gone and it shouldn't really be Biss as he's just not good enough defensively to be a starter. Whatever way he intends to rebuild the midfield we need a defensive minded deeper player. Doesn't have to be a physical tough tackler (although personally I think it should). Zubimendi for example, who we supposedly like, isn't. He is more an interceptor. A player that steps up out of deeper positions to interrupt the flow of play rather then going for crunching tackles.

Whichever way he chooses to build his midfield we need at least one player with good defensive acumen. That doesn't have to be his whole game, he can be aggressive in possession also, but he needs to be strong defensively.

 

[muppetman]

Guardian today.

 

[Neon_Knight_]

50 mil for Gallagher sounds absolutely nuts to me even if he is HG.

More or less nuts than £50m for Brennan Johnson?

 

[Neon_Knight_]

Guardian today.

View attachment 140268

This is very reminiscent of his comments on Eriksen's future, as he was about to enter the final year of his contract.

 

[DannyNZ]

I like him and he’s got a fighting spirit missing in too many of our players. Having said that I’m not convinced he should be a priority position with us needing in my view quality starters at CF, WF and #6, after that we need cover/competition for Udogie and Porro and cover for VDV. That’s a hell of a lot to get done in one window so chasing Gallagher to me isn’t a pressing need. But if Ange wants him then I think he does improve the starting midfield even if only marginally.

 

[Frank Blank]

Pissed all over our midfield tonight, sign him up!

Says a lot about how poor our midfield was.

 

[WhiteStripe]

One thing that was abundantly clear to me when at the Arsenal game is what an elite attitude Declan Rice has. Yes he’s an important player, but the one thing that jumped off the page at me was how much of a leader he is. For me, that’s something we really lack, a real never say die leader in the middle of the park pulling the team through sometimes.

I’m not saying Gallagher is that, but having seen him a few times recently, he could be. He shows great maturity, fight, drive and desire. He has a fire inside him and he’s not a half bad footballer to boot. At 50mil, in todays market I would see it as a no brainer.