Enzo Maresca admits Conor Gallagher is ‘trying to find a solution with the club’ after his £34m move to Atletico Madrid fell through… as the Chelsea boss reveals the midfielder is training alone

Enzo Maresca has confirmed that Conor Gallagher has returned to Chelsea, but the midfielder is currently training alone and will not be part of Sunday’s matchday squad after his move to Atletico Madrid collapsed. 

Gallagher had been on the verge of joining the Spanish club this summer, even traveling to Madrid, but complications surrounding Samu Omorodion’s proposed transfer to Chelsea halted the deal at the last minute.

As a result, the midfielder found himself on a flight back to England with his future unclear. However, Gallagher is said to be ‘trying to find a solution’ with the Premier League giants.

Maresca confirmed that while the 24-year-old is maintaining his fitness, he will not be involved in Chelsea’s season opener against Manchester City on Sunday afternoon.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Maresca said: ‘Conor is back. He is training apart. He is doing some medical tests and some training. He won’t be involved in the game. At this moment, he is trying to find a solution with the club.’

A product of Chelsea’s esteemed youth academy, Gallagher made his mark early on with strong performances for the club’s U18 and U23 sides. 

Despite his undeniable talent, first-team opportunities at Chelsea proved elusive in the early stages of his career due to the club’s fierce competition for places. 

As a result, he embarked on a series of loan spells that would ultimately help shape him into the dynamic midfielder he is today.

Gallagher first gained prominence during his loan spell at Charlton Athletic in the 2019-20 season, where he quickly established himself as one of the most promising young talents in the Championship. 

A mid-season move to Swansea City further enhanced his reputation, and by the time he joined West Bromwich Albion for the 2020-2021 Premier League campaign, Gallagher had developed into a well-rounded midfielder with a tireless work ethic and a knack for breaking up play. 

His performances for West Brom, despite the club’s relegation, earned him widespread praise. However, his big breakthrough came during the 2021-22 season, when he joined Crystal Palace on loan.

Gallagher thrived under Patrick Vieira’s management, becoming a key figure for the Eagles with his energetic displays, box-to-box runs, and contributions in front of goal. 

His performances saw him finish the season with eight Premier League goals and four assists, earning him an England call-up and putting him firmly on Chelsea’s radar for a first-team role.

Returning to Stamford Bridge ahead of the 2022-23 season, Gallagher finally got his chance to play regularly for Chelsea. Though he faced stiff competition in the midfield, he made a number of appearances across the season.

Maresca (pictured above) confirmed that while the 24-year-old is maintaining his fitness, he will not be involved in Chelsea’s season opener against Manchester City on Sunday afternoon

Despite some ups and downs, Gallagher’s work rate endeared him to Chelsea fans, and he became a regular feature in the first team squad, often playing in various midfield roles.

On 31 August 2023, Gallagher captained Chelsea for the first time, in a 2–1 EFL Cup victory over Wimbledon. The youngster went on to captain regularly throughout the season following injuries to Reece James and vice-captain Ben Chilwell.

However, there has been uncertainty around Gallagher’s future at the club. With Chelsea undergoing significant changes under new management and Financial Fair Play rules getting in the way, Gallagher has found himself linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge. 

Atletico Madrid emerged as a serious contender for his signature, with the Spanish club reportedly keen to bring the 24-year-old to La Liga. Gallagher even travelled to Madrid, and the transfer appeared to be on the verge of completion. 

But just as the deal seemed set to go through, complications arose—specifically, issues surrounding Omorodion’s proposed move to Chelsea. These complications led to the breakdown of Gallagher’s move, leaving the midfielder in limbo. Forced to return to England, Gallagher’s future remains unclear.