Chelsea finished 2024 by winning 3-2 at Luton Town in the Saturday midday kick-off, but major questions remain about the club’s transfer approach.
Jamie Carragher has slammed Chelsea owner Todd Boehly’s “mess” as one of their key players leaves in January.
The Blues survived a dramatic finish to overcome Luton in the Premier League on Saturday, winning 3-2 despite leading 3-0 after 79 minutes. It was the club’s second straight three-point triumph after a midweek victory over Crystal Palace, ahead of a January transfer window in which the club is anticipated to be busy once more.
Conor Gallagher played 90 minutes for Mauricio Pochettino’s side, despite rising doubts over his future. Tottenham are reportedly in talks with Ange Postecoglou about a prospective deal, with Ange Postecoglou having tracked the England international since he arrived in north London in the summer.
Pochettino‘s options may be limited if he wants to add to his squad next month, with Chelsea nearing the Financial Fair Play limit as a result of their excessive spending under the American. Allowing the 23-year-old to leave would free up finances, as they appear to have to sell before they can acquire again.
“Gallagher has been Chelsea’s best player this season along with Cole Palmer, this just shows what a mess the new ownership have made at the club,” Carragher posted on his social media accounts. “Selling an academy player because it helps with FFP.”
Gallagher has appeared 19 times for the club this season, and was given the captain’s armband in the absence of the injured Reece James. Since signing his first senior deal at Stamford Bridge in 2019, he has played in four loan periods.
And, since his return ahead of the 2022/23 season, he has piqued the interest of England coach Gareth Southgate. Gallagher did come to Qatar for the 2022 World Cup, but he was not deployed during the competition.
Chelsea have spent more than £1 billion and employed four different managers since Boehly took over from Roman Abramovich in May 2022, with one of them – Frank Lampard – serving as an interim. Despite back-to-back league victories, their chances of recouping some of their spending with Champions League qualification remain bleak.
Pochettino’s squad is now tenth, narrowing the gap on the top four to nine points. However, they have played more games than the teams above them, with the League Cup – in which they meet Middlesborough in a two-legged semi-final in January – presently being their greatest hope of triumph this season.
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