Gallagher joins Billy Gilmour (Brighton), Ruben Loftus-Cheek (AC Milan), Callum Hudson-Odoi (Nottingham Forest), Ian Maatsen (Aston Villa), Lewis Hall (Newcastle) and Mason Mount (Manchester United) in the ranks of Cobham-trained players who have left the club since its takeover in 2022.
Head coach Enzo Maresca has called on the Premier League to change its financial rules so that clubs do not feel “forced” to sell academy players.
When clubs sell graduates from their academies, the entire transfer fee goes into their balance sheets as “pure profit” and can help them circumvent the top division’s strict profit and sustainability rules.
Nevin told BBC Sport: “The ‘Legacy’ fans are particularly dismayed but they also understand that this is not much more than pure economics. He is a homegrown talent, ‘straight from Cobham’ so to speak, and that means he represents pure profit if he is sold on.”
“The club needs Gallagher’s income to replenish its coffers, having already spent more than £1 billion, and now finds it has to take the upcoming Premier League PSR into account.
“The England star, the club’s most committed player last season, temporary captain and a real fans’ favourite, is the next to be forced out.”
“It’s not about what Conor Gallagher is, it’s what he represents,” Hayward added.
“In a previous era at Chelsea, accepting a £33m offer from Atletico Madrid for him would have provoked far less reaction than it does now.
“Gallagher is a committed, passionate and solid player. But he is not remarkable. His homegrown status elevates his standing with the fans beyond what he would achieve based on his ability alone.
“But this is not the Chelsea that has a midfield with Frank Lampard, Michael Ballack, Michael Essien, Claude Makelele, N’Golo Kante or Cesc Fabregas.
“This is a Chelsea that has not won a major trophy for three years and has rarely felt so far away from a title in its recent history.
“Ticket prices have risen, the public vision remains non-existent and fan favourites are being hastily pushed out the back door.
“When teams go through difficult periods on the pitch, fans cling to the connection they feel with the academy products. Last season, Gallagher’s exuberance was a shining example – especially in the difficult first few months.
“So the disidentification of Chelsea continues to progress and the gap between ownership and fan base is widening.”
