Former Chelsea star Wayne Bridge has criticized the club’s management, calling it a “shambles” over the potential sale of midfielder Conor Gallagher. Gallagher, 24, has been linked with moves to Aston Villa and Tottenham, raising concerns about Chelsea’s strategic direction.
Bridge, speaking via Betfred, highlighted Gallagher’s importance to the team, suggesting that selling him would be a significant loss.
“Chelsea just surprise me all the time at the moment. The fact Conor Gallagher is in the mix just goes to show that when I say ‘shambles’, it is a shambles, because he’s probably their second-best player after Cole Palmer. It just seems all over the shop,” Bridge said.
The sale of Gallagher, a homegrown talent, would reportedly fetch around £50 million, aiding Chelsea in adhering to Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR). Despite the financial rationale, Bridge believes this move exemplifies poor management decisions at the club.
Enzo Maresca has been appointed as the new manager, replacing Mauricio Pochettino. However, Bridge expressed concerns that Maresca might have limited influence over transfer decisions during the summer window.
“He needs to get in there, really, and see all the players before he makes a decision. I don’t think you can rush to a decision until you know exactly what’s going on,” Bridge added.
Gallagher, who has one year left on his contract, has reportedly drawn interest from Aston Villa, who have approached Chelsea with a bid. The Blues are demanding £50 million for his transfer.
