Chelsea’s transfer decision to sign Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez forced ‘local lad’ Connor Gallagher to leave the club, according to Alan Shearer.
Gallagher was one of Chelsea’s best players last season and some fans were left shocked and angered that the club sold him to Spanish side Atletico Madrid.
The 24-year-old England international midfielder came through Chelsea’s academy but there was no room for him when the Blues signed two superstars.
Chelsea splashed out £107m on Fernandez at the end of last year’s January window, and then spent £115m on fellow midfielder Caicedo in August 2023.
‘The issue Gallagher had was when Chelsea started paying the vast amounts of money for people like Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez,’ Shearer told Betfair.
‘Then it was always going to be difficult for a local lad to stay and play because, essentially, those players have to play to justify the transfer fee.
‘That leaves people like Gallagher with a decision to make because you’re not going to play regularly, they’re always going to be ahead of you.
‘And they’ll always be on more money than you, so you have to say good luck to the guys that do choose to go abroad.’
Gallagher has made seven La Liga appearances for Atletico Madrid so far and has scored two goals, which came against Valencia and Rayo Vallecano last month.
‘Young English players should never be afraid of moving abroad, like Conor Gallagher, and so many players are doing that now,’ Shearer added.
‘He followed the footsteps of Tammy Abraham, Loftus-Cheek, Bellingham, Tomori to name a few, and if you’re not getting the recognition or game time at your football club over here in England, then I’m full of admiration for the players that are willing to go and ply their trade abroad.
‘Everything’s different, even more so if you have children and It’s great for them because they’re able to learn a different language.
‘It’s great for you if you’re playing on a regular basis and great that you’ve been brave enough to take that leap.’
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