Conor Gallagher &#8211; CaughtOffside

“I don’t think that’s true” – Former Chelsea star responds to claim about Enzo Maresca issue

New Arsenal signing recalls how club made him want to ‘get into a hole and not get out’

Roy Keane surprisingly defends out-of-form Manchester United star

CFC made plenty of new signings this summer and that also left little room for Gallagher, so all in all there are plenty of reasons the deal made sense without it being anything to do with Maresca’s tactical preferences.

Gallagher transfer: Ex-Chelsea midfielder responds to Maresca claim

“I don’t think that’s true personally. I think last season I had a good season with Chelsea as you could see by Mauricio Pochettino playing me every game and showing his trust in me. And the fans appreciated what I did on the pitch too,” Gallagher told the Daily Mail.

“I’m very grateful for all of that and very thankful to the fans. And very thankful to Pochettino for giving me that platform to go and express myself and show the best version of myself at Chelsea.

“Chelsea make their own decisions and they’ve brought in some top players on long contracts. That wasn’t the situation with me but, in the end, what happened is good for everyone, so everyone is happy.”

The post “I don’t think that’s true” – Former Chelsea star responds to claim about Enzo Maresca issue appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Chelsea have nearly balanced the books with staggering £188.9m received in transfer fees

Mark Brus — Tue, 03 Sep 2024 08:27:21 +0000

Chelsea have been criticised for their over-spending at times under the ownership of Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali, but BBC journalist Nizaar Kinsella has posted on X about how close the Blues are to balancing the books due to making so many player sales.

While plenty of new arrivals have come in at Chelsea this summer, such as Joao Felix, Pedro Neto, Jadon Sancho and Tosin Adarabioyo, there have also been some significant sales of senior players like Conor Gallagher, Romelu Lukaku, Ian Maatsen, Hakim Ziyech and Omari Hutchinson.

In total, that means Chelsea have raised almost £190m in player sales, having spent only slightly more than that on signings coming in…

Chelsea are pretty close to having balanced the books following Angelo Gabriel's sale to Al-Nassr for £19.1million… if you don't count Penders and Estevao (who were signed for 2025 and not joined yet).

– £208.5m spent, £188.9m made in sales. https://t.co/XYvMmKr0cO

— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) September 3, 2024

Chelsea fans will be glad to see that, despite the outside criticism, the numbers show that their club is largely going about things in the right way, and that should eventually lead to improvements on the pitch.

There is already plenty to be optimistic about with Enzo Maresca’s style of play, as Chelsea look to have more of a polished game plan than they did last season under Mauricio Pochettino.

More Stories / Latest News

“I don’t think that’s true” – Former Chelsea star responds to claim about Enzo Maresca issue

New Arsenal signing recalls how club made him want to ‘get into a hole and not get out’

Roy Keane surprisingly defends out-of-form Manchester United star

Still, CFC will still need time for their new signings to settle and for young players like Nicolas Jackson, Enzo Fernandez and Noni Madueke to reach their full potential, with there still being some frustrating inconsistency there.

The post Chelsea have nearly balanced the books with staggering £188.9m received in transfer fees appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Club president with a Chelsea past helps Omorodion find a new home after Blues fiasco

Jason Pettigrove — Sat, 24 Aug 2024 05:18:27 +0000

One of the transfer fiascos of this summer was Chelsea’s attempt to land Samu Omorodion as part of the deal to take Conor Gallagher to Atletico Madrid.

An 11th hour collapse meant that, despite already having travelled to Spain, Gallagher had to return to West London and hope that the Blues were able to reconstruct any deal for him to leave.

Fortunately, a deal involving Joao Felix returning to Stamford Bridge resulted, though that left Omorodion in footballing limbo for a short time.

Cue ex-Chelsea manager and now current Porto president, Andre Villas Boas, to come to the rescue.

???? Samu Omorodion becomes new FC Porto player thanks to Villas-Boas mission after Chelsea deal off.

? €15m for 50% of Samu, Atléti own 50%.
? Porto can buy 15% for €5m in 2025.
? Porto can buy another 15% for €5m in 2026.
? Contract until 2029, €100m release clause. pic.twitter.com/0RuuEi0xnr

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 23, 2024

Late on Friday night, CaughtOffside columnist and transfer expert, Fabrizio Romano, advanced on X (formerly Twitter) that the Spanish international had signed for the Portuguese giants.

A complicated deal has been done which Atleti are evidently happy with and which sees Porto land the player for a low initial fee of €15m, which could increase by another €10m over the next two seasons.

Chelsea fiasco ends with Samu Omorodion signing for Porto

Omorodion has a contract until 2029 with the Dragons, and a €100m release clause.

With Gallagher finally being introduced to an adoring Atleti public over the past week, it seems that this long-running story has a happy ending for all concerned.

At just 20 years of age, Omorodion has already made something of a name for himself as a striker too.

More Stories / Latest News

Roy Keane surprisingly defends out-of-form Manchester United star

Sep 5 2024, 23:29

“I don’t think that’s true” – Former Chelsea star responds to claim about Enzo Maresca issue

Sep 5 2024, 23:01

New Arsenal signing recalls how club made him want to ‘get into a hole and not get out’

Sep 5 2024, 23:00

On loan at Alaves last season, he ended 2023/24 as their top scorer, transfermarkt noting a decent return of eight goals and one assist from 34 assists.

A career total of 27 goals in 72 games hints at his potency in front of goal, and Porto will undoubtedly be hoping that they can get the best out of the player during the next few seasons.

The post Club president with a Chelsea past helps Omorodion find a new home after Blues fiasco appeared first on CaughtOffside.

“Massive fan of that” – Enzo Maresca lauded by Collymore for Chelsea decisions

Jason Pettigrove — Thu, 22 Aug 2024 10:37:59 +0000

Enzo Maresca has the biggest of tasks on his hands at Chelsea, and despite an opening day defeat against Man City, he’s won some plaudits from Stan Collymore.

The Italian won’t be under any illusions whatsoever in terms of what’s expected of him at Stamford Bridge, so it’s important that he sets his stall out from the get go that he isn’t someone to mess with.

The most successful managers over the last few seasons have been those that have an uncompromising side to their personality eg Mikel Arteta, Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola.

Maresca has got some way to go to be considered in the same bracket as that trio, particularly given that he’s never managed a team in any top-flight European league before taking charge in West London.

Collymore gives Enzo Maresca the thumbs up over Chilwell and Sterling

Recent decisions regarding player exits may not have found favour with some, but Collymore believes the type of directness that the manager has shown needs applauding.

“Players respect the fact that managers give them clear information because too many don’t. Too many will literally walk down a corridor towards a player and give it the old ‘how are your pal? etc. etc.,’ pat them on the back, and then knife them in the back by leaving them out and not saying anything or facing up to the problem,” he told CaughtOffside for his exclusive column.

“It’s happened many, many times in football history and the stories are legion about how a manager will say one thing and do another.

“I think that you’ll find players won’t be overly angry by these instances of a manager basically saying to five or six Chelsea players ‘you’re done, you’re finished, you’re not going to get a game here.’

“I’m a massive fan of that.”

Ultimately, results will determine Maresca’s future, and though the likes of Raheem Sterling, Ben Chilwell and Conor Gallagher are likely to be missed, Blues fans would do well to look forward rather than back.

The manager’s role is clear, and he needs everyone pulling in the same direction, particularly in the early stages of the season.

If the club are now able to claw back some money from transfers too before the end of the current window, it should set them up nicely in terms of Financial Fair Play.

?????????? Conor Gallagher unveiled at the Metropolitano as new Atlético Madrid player! pic.twitter.com/6mWL6rEvBj

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 21, 2024

Gallagher is likely to enjoy his time in Madrid if his welcome at Atletico was anything to go by, whilst Chilwell and Sterling have enough time to find themselves a new club thanks to Maresca’s directness.

The post “Massive fan of that” – Enzo Maresca lauded by Collymore for Chelsea decisions appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Inside Spain: Arsenal and Liverpool making moves in Spain, trouble brewing at Real Madrid?

Ruairidh Barlow — Thu, 22 Aug 2024 10:10:14 +0000

Inside Spain is a weekly instalment brought to you by Football España, providing an insight into all of the major stories coming out of the rich and intense climes of La Liga and beyond.

Never a dull moment at Barcelona. The Catalan side were not planning on getting rid of Ilkay Gundogan this summer, but with their attempts to sell Ronald Araujo, Ansu Fati, Frenkie de Jong and Raphinha all hitting a dead end, something had to give.

Gundogan will head back to Manchester City, and Barcelona fans might be questioning what he is being sacrificed for. Dani Olmo is well-regarded, but they have plenty of options at number 10. Elsewhere they have been linked with Federico Chiesa at Juventus and Marc Pubill at Almeria as a right-back addition.

The question some are asking is are Barcelona getting better? January signing Vitor Roque is also headed to Real Betis on loan, and he cost them €30m – more than enough to cover Gundogan’s wages. More players could be pushed out, with Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United linked with one of their defenders.

Atletico Madrid presented Conor Gallagher, Julian Alvarez, Robin Le Normand and Alexander Sorloth to a raucous Metropolitano, and their summer spending of €183.5m is currently about triple what Barcelona have spent.

"Hello. I don't speak much Spanish. I'm very happy. Come on Atleti!"

A table for four for Conor Gallagher and #AtleticoMadrid's new signings, Robin Le Normand, Alexander Sorloth and Julian Alvarez. pic.twitter.com/ndREz3Yta2

— Football España (@footballespana_) August 22, 2024

Liverpool are on the verge of signing Giorgi Mamardashvili from Valencia in a €35m deal, although he will remain at Mestalla for at least another season. To the north, Arsenal look as if they will finally complete a deal for Mikel Merino this week. They continue to work on Aaron Ramsdale’s exit though, and will spend €30m on his replacement from Espanyol if it does happen.

Despite their off-field troubles, Barcelona are top of the table alongside Celta Vigo and Rayo Vallecano, after they beat Valencia. Atletico Madrid drew 2-2 with Villarreal, and Real Madrid could not outgun RCD Mallorca in Kylian Mbappe’s debut, finishing 1-1, but realistically they could have lost.

Carlo Ancelotti raged that his team lacked balance, commitment and attitude, which many weren’t surprised about after starting Mbappe, Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo Goes. If someone were to drop, most hedge their bets on Rodrygo. He got the goal against Mallorca, and a brilliant one. Let out of the headlines for the ‘BMV’ last week, Rodrygo made his irritation very clear in a Whatsapp message. The rumblings of a potential exit next summer continue to grow.

The post Inside Spain: Arsenal and Liverpool making moves in Spain, trouble brewing at Real Madrid? appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Collymore’s column: Maresca has lost respect with Enzo decision, Liverpool fans must be patient, Toney’s Saudi move a waste and much more

Stan Collymore — Thu, 22 Aug 2024 09:56:39 +0000

In his exclusive column for CaughtOffside, former Aston Villa attacker Stan Collymore discusses some of football’s biggest talking points, including why Enzo Maresca has made a disgraceful decision at Chelsea, why Liverpool fans must be patient, why Ivan Toney’s move to Saudi is an absolute waste and much more.

—

Maresca’s decisions deserve respect… apart from the captaincy issue

Players respect the fact that managers give them clear information because too many don’t. Too many will literally walk down a corridor towards a player and give it the old ‘how are your pal? etc. etc.,’ pat them on the back, and then knife them in the back by leaving them out and not saying anything or facing up to the problem.

It’s happened many, many times in football history and the stories are legion about how a manager will say one thing and do another.

I think that you’ll find players won’t be overly angry by these instances of a manager basically saying to five or six Chelsea players ‘you’re done, you’re finished, you’re not going to get a game here.’

I’m a massive fan of that.

In the case of Conor Gallagher, he gets a very warm welcome from 40,000 fans at the Atletico Madrid stadium with fireworks and stuff, so he won’t care now what opinion Chelsea have of him.

I don’t fully understand what Chelsea didn’t know about Joao Felix that meant they desperately needed to have him coming back? For me, that’s filed under another Chelsea aberration. If it didn’t work the first time, what makes them think it’s going to work the second time within a year or two?

In terms of Raheem Sterling, he was okay at times for Chelsea but I don’t think he was ever great. His options in England are limited and he’s no longer at the elite Premier League level. I could see him going to an LAFC, New York Red Bulls or maybe to one of the Saudi clubs.

In terms of giving Enzo the captaincy, I think it’s nothing short of a disgrace, if I’m being perfectly honest. It sets the tone.

You saw the players on their social media feeds, the reaction after what happened in the Copa America, with some coming out who were very, very upset.

On what basis now have those players been placated to the point where the manager has sat them down saying ‘Enzo is going to be captain.’

No black player at the club, and I don’t any white player either, would be happy with the manager saying Enzo’s our brand spanking new captain. That he’s going to be the poster boy and the face of Chelsea Football Club.

I think that Maresca has got that one absolutely wrong, and I think that the fact that the club had to come out and make a statement after something that Enzo Fernandez did on on international duty tells you how wrong it was.

The optics are absolutely awful but let’s be perfectly honest… Chelsea Football Club over the years haven’t exactly covered themselves in glory on or off the pitch when it comes to matters of racism.

Ivan Toney’s move to Saudi is an absolute waste

If Ivan Toney was 32, he could go out to graze in Saudi Arabia and earn a few million by doing the classic 12 to 18 month stay. Say that his family haven’t settled and come back. Likewise, if he was 25, Toney would stay put because top-class European football is where it’s at.

But at age 28 it’s interesting, because if he does sign a three-year contract with the Saudi Pro League, as has been rumoured, that will take him to 31 years of age, and there won’t by anyone in the Premier League’s top 10 that would be willing to take him by then.

To be honest, it’s a dreadful move for him, but he’s clearly being advised to go to Saudi. What a shame. What an absolute waste.

In my opinion, he should stay at Brentford, get his head down and score goals. If he scores a shed load, who’s to say that the big clubs he expected to move for him this summer still won’t come in for him?

Let’s be realistic here. Ivan Toney has been very good for Brentford and Brentford have been very good for Ivan Toney, sticking by him throughout the gambling stuff.

Did he think he could just coast it at the end of last season and he was going to get a massive move anyway, because there was just this queue of clubs?

You could argue that the current situation is a lot of his own making. Just four goals from January to the end of the 2023/24 campaign tells its own story.

If Solanke doesn’t work out at Spurs, or if West Ham are still on the lookout for a hit-man, there’s a possibility that there’s a route back to the top of the English game for Ivan Toney… but don’t hold your breath.

Hold your horses Liverpool fans

Key players turned up at Ipswich in the second half for Liverpool, and showed Arne Slot exactly what he already has in situ.

The Reds are like any other club in that they need a couple of players every window to be able to freshen things up, but we are now, of course, not talking about a team of just 12 or 14 players like when I played, but a squad of 25/26 players.

Liverpool have also got an academy of players that has produced plenty of talent over the years, like the Trent’s and the Curtis Jones’.

The question I’d put to Liverpool fans is, yes, ordinarily, you’d have at least two that would come in to freshen the team up and to create competition for places, but with a squad of 20 plus an academy that’s producing players that can get into the first team squad, why do you think the need to buy more players is still so great?

Look at what Manchester City do. They bring in a couple and they let a couple go, but there’s always an improvement of personnel, not buying for the sake of it.

I think that Arne Slot has come in and he’s assessed what he’s got, and then gone to the board with a shopping list.

He’s obviously not that desperate, and he’s still got another nine days before the window closes anyway, so Liverpool may yet still do business.

Furthermore, I honestly believe that when you look at Arsenal’s first game performance, you look at Spurs, Villa, Manchester City, Manchester United… Liverpool’s second half at Ipswich was as good as any performance that you’ll have seen over the past weekend, so there was obviously a lot of confidence in the camp and perhaps they just don’t feel the need to change things a hell of a lot.

So I’d say to Liverpool fans ‘don’t panic.’ There are players that are not needed arguably until the January transfer window, when the squad might need a little bit of help.

Chill out, the big cavalry is already there. The captains, the lieutenants, the generals, are already in the team, and even if one or two infantry are required to help them get across the line, the last days of the window or even in the January transfer window is just fine.

Jhon Duran is a maverick talent but if he doesn’t grow up, Villa should get rid

Aston Villa fans have already shown their fickle nature where Jhon Duran is concerned.

A week before kick-off, it was like ‘silly boy, get him out, what an idiot, don’t want him anywhere near Villa Park,’ and then he comes in against West Ham, he looks sharp and scores a cracking goal, and all of a sudden he’s back in vogue. They’ll be going to the club shop and getting Duran on their shirts I’m sure, and will be very excited about him playing for Villa.

The boy’s undoubtedly got talent and ability but he’s a maverick, and let’s make no bones about this, he will create problems for Aston Villa.

Despite Chelsea and West Ham wanting him, Unai Emery has handed him the number nine shirt. That’s a responsibility in itself because Villa have had great number nines over the years, going back to Peter Withe, who scored the winning goal in a European Cup final.

Emery will have to realise that he’s got to keep him on quite a short leash, however, because he doesn’t want any antics or perceived favouritism to upset squad equilibrium.

Duran could ‘poison the well’ for want of a better phrase, and players like John McGinn and Emi Martinez could turn around and say ‘hold on a sec, we’ve done the business for you for two or three seasons, and this guy turns up, doesn’t train hard, is disruptive and he’s in the team’… that could be a problem.

To be honest, I don’t think that Jhon Duran will have loyalty to any club, and if he’s still a pain in the ass in another season or two, then Villa should just sell him. Simple.

Brighton and Mitoma get opening day plaudits

Kaoru Mitoma at Brighton was excellent against Everton, the best player on the pitch by a considerable margin, and boy have they missed him.

Obviously, he’s had a long time out with injury, and though it wasn’t a disaster last season for Brighton, as a club that were hitting the giddy heights of Europe it was a little disappointing how things ended up.

From my perspective, it was a really good attacking performance at Goodison, and Brighton fans will be salivating.

If Mitoma continues to play well, then they’ve got a £50m-£60m player in the squad who I’m sure the big boys will be taking a keen interest in.

In three to four months it wouldn’t even surprise me if an offer came in the January window, because he scores goals, creates chances and goes past opponents with ease.

What more do you want…?

The post Collymore’s column: Maresca has lost respect with Enzo decision, Liverpool fans must be patient, Toney’s Saudi move a waste and much more appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Video: Former Chelsea star Conor Gallagher tries to speak Spanish during Atletico Madrid unveiling

Darren Looney — Wed, 21 Aug 2024 20:36:24 +0000

Conor Gallagher was unveiled as an Atletico Madrid player on Wednesday night having completed his move from Chelsea this week.

The Englishman moved to Spain as part of a £36m deal after spending his entire career at Chelsea. The midfielder came through the academy at the Blues and many fans of the West London outfit were sad to see a homegrown talent leave in the way he did.

Supporters of Atletico Madrid showed Gallagher some love on Wednesday night as he was unveiled to the crowd at the Cívitas Metropolitano.

The Englishman even attempted to speak a little Spanish to his new fans saying whilst laughing: “Hello! I don’t speak a lot of Spanish. I am very happy, aupa Atleti.”

This sparked a big roar from Atletico fans as they prepare to see their team play at home for the first time this weekend against Girona.

More Stories / Latest News

“I don’t think that’s true” – Former Chelsea star responds to claim about Enzo Maresca issue

New Arsenal signing recalls how club made him want to ‘get into a hole and not get out’

Roy Keane surprisingly defends out-of-form Manchester United star

Watch: Conor Gallagher unveiled as an Atletico Madrid player

??? Las primeras palabras de Gallagher en español en el Metropolitano.

? ¡Qué bienvenida! pic.twitter.com/JnqbbHrosv

— Mundo Deportivo (@mundodeportivo) August 21, 2024

?????????? Conor Gallagher unveiled at the Metropolitano as new Atlético Madrid player! pic.twitter.com/6mWL6rEvBj

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 21, 2024

The post Video: Former Chelsea star Conor Gallagher tries to speak Spanish during Atletico Madrid unveiling appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Aston Villa turn to ‘fantastic’ Chelsea star in their bid to fill key position

CJ — Wed, 21 Aug 2024 17:03:56 +0000

Aston Villa are lining up a move for Chelsea’s Trevoh Chalobah as they seek to add another centre-back this summer, according to reports.

Villa still have a number of positions on their wishlist, especially given the recent sale of French forward Moussa Diaby to Saudi Pro League side Al Ittihad.

A versatile defender is also a high priority as Unai Emery looks to bolster his squad ahead of their Champions League campaign.

Villa have already been linked with Liverpool’s Joe Gomez. However, it now appears that Chelsea’s Chalobah is on their shortlist as well, with 90min reporting that the Blues would accept an offer within the region of £25-30m.

Chelsea recently completed the sale of Conor Gallagher to Atletico Madrid, with Portuguese forward Joao Felix heading the other way.

And now, they will look to cash in on another homegrown player, with Chalobah — who has played 80 times for Chelsea across all competitions after emerging from their academy — reportedly exiled from Enzo Maresca’s squad.

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND – APRIL 27: Conor Gallagher of Chelsea celebrates scoring his team’s second goal with teammate Trevoh Chalobah during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Chelsea FC at Villa Park on April 27, 2024 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

Chelsea’s unpopular summer transfer window

Chelsea’s treatment of their homegrown players has been lambasted by supporters following another summer of heavy spending.

But it’s not only the fans disappointed to see Gallagher and, potentially, Chalobah leave.

Chelsea legend John Obi Mikel has also been critical of his former club’s transfer policy, with the Nigerian believing there has been unnecessary spending.

“Of course, two young boys that bleed blue, exactly,” said Mikel. “Through and through. At the club when they were little boys and now we have to sell them to make sure it balances the books.

“Then it comes down to the owners just spending way too much money and buying everybody that’s got a price tag on [them]. Just spending way too much money, buying way too many players we don’t need.”

Mikel added: “I just think it’s bad business from the owners. Absolutely bad business from the owners.

“Now, we’ve lost two fantastic players! I think ‘is Chalobah going to improve the team?’ of course! Hell yeah! Is Conor Gallagher going to improve the team? For me, yes.”

The post Aston Villa turn to ‘fantastic’ Chelsea star in their bid to fill key position appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Conor Gallagher’s Chelsea nightmare will move one step closer to ending on Tuesday night

Darren Looney — Tue, 20 Aug 2024 16:44:47 +0000

Conor Gallagher’s recent Chelsea nightmare looks set to move one step closer to ending on Tuesday night as the midfielder is scheduled to fly to Spain in order to complete his move to Atletico Madrid.

The two clubs have a deal in place for the England international worth €42m (£32.3m), which includes an undisclosed sell-on clause for the Stamford Bridge side. Atletico Madrid have already agreed personal terms with the 24-year-old, who is expected to join the La Liga club on a long-term contract at the Metropolitano before next week’s transfer deadline.

This deal was thrown into doubt recently as Chelsea’s move for Atleti forward Samu Omorodion collapsed, which was linked to the Gallagher transfer.

The Englishman was forced to return to London as a result and train alone while the Blues worked things out but with the Premier League club now close to signing Joao Felix from Atletico Madrid, this has paved the way for Gallagher to move the other way.

According to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, the midfielder is scheduled to fly to Spain on Tuesday evening in order to complete his move to Atletico and end his recent Chelsea nightmare.

Conor Gallagher is closing in on a move to Atletico Madrid

More Stories / Latest News

“I don’t think that’s true” – Former Chelsea star responds to claim about Enzo Maresca issue

New Arsenal signing recalls how club made him want to ‘get into a hole and not get out’

Roy Keane surprisingly defends out-of-form Manchester United star

A sad ending to Conor Gallagher’s Chelsea career

Gallagher is yet another victim of chaos that has washed over Chelsea since Clearlake Capital and Todd Boehly took over the club in 2022.

The 24-year-old is a homegrown star who is loved by the Stamford Bridge faithful and is being forced to leave the West London club due to the mismanagement of the Blues squad. The Premier League club need to sell players to comply with profit and sustainability rules and the money received for this deal will go down as pure profit.

The way Gallagher has been treated this summer has also been nothing short of disgraceful and his story may turn players off joining Chelsea in the future under the current ownership.

The post Conor Gallagher’s Chelsea nightmare will move one step closer to ending on Tuesday night appeared first on CaughtOffside.

“They had to change everything” – Exclusive details of “tense” and “complicated” Chelsea transfer saga

Mark Brus — Tue, 20 Aug 2024 07:08:31 +0000

Transfer news expert Fabrizio Romano has provided some insight into the complicated Chelsea and Atletico Madrid saga involving all three of Joao Felix, Samu Omorodion and Conor Gallagher.

The Blues finally look set to sign Felix while Gallagher can now also complete his move to Atletico as part of the deal, with the Omorodion signing for CFC previously falling through.

Speaking exclusively to CaughtOffside for the Debrief podcast, Romano gave his inside information on this rather chaotic deal and explained why it took so long for all parties to reach an agreement.

After the Omorodion side of the story collapsed, it seems Chelsea had to quickly change everything to ensure they were able to reach an agreement over Felix, and it seems they have been working hard to do that, and it’s now closer to completion.

This meant Gallagher had to wait a bit longer to finalise his move to Madrid, having already previously travelled to the Spanish capital, only to then return to London for training with Chelsea.

Crazy Chelsea transfer saga explained by Fabrizio Romano

Joao Felix is set to sign for Chelsea

Discussing how it all unfolded, Romano said: “They already wanted to close this deal over the weekend and there is still some difference between Chelsea and Atletico Madrid. It’s a very difficult deal. Difficult in the sense that all parties are very tense after spending almost two weeks in negotiations with players travelling and returning, with players into the deal changing because it had to be Samu Omorodion and then Joao Felix.

“Then when you involve Joao Felix it means a big salary, a big commission, a completely different structure of the transfer fee. They had to change everything. So they’ve been working for days on this one. They keep working on this deal even today and in the next hours. So Chelsea and Atletico are actively working on this and also the agents of all the single players involved in this story, the intermediaries who are taking care of the negotiations. So it’s a very, very busy couple of hours for all the clubs.

“I think today, tomorrow is going to be super busy also because on Wednesday, Atletico Madrid want to present all their new faces, new players, and they hope to have Conor Gallagher there. Simeone is really pushing to have him. They want him internally also. I mean, the management board, they want to have Conor Gallagher.

More Stories / Latest News

“I don’t think that’s true” – Former Chelsea star responds to claim about Enzo Maresca issue

New Arsenal signing recalls how club made him want to ‘get into a hole and not get out’