Sam Allardyce has warned Conor Gallagher he could become the next Jesse Lingard at Chelsea
Sam Allardyce has claimed that Crystal Palace midfielder Conor Gallagher could end up like Jesse Lingard if he doesn’t play regularly for Chelsea when he returns to his parent club next summer.
Gallagher is currently on loan at Selhurst Park, and he has been in breathtaking form for the Eagles this season.
The 21-year-old has scored six goals for the Premier League outfit, including bagging a brace in the side’s 3-1 win over Everton on Sunday.
Conor Gallagher has been a standout player for Crystal Palace this season under Patrick Vieira
He came on at half time to make his England debut against San Marino in November
His performances have not gone unnoticed as Gareth Southgate handed him his England debut last month against San Marino.
He is due to return to Chelsea at the end of the season to try to force his way into Thomas Tuchel’s plans, but the German manager has an abundance of talent at his disposal at Stamford Bridge, suggesting that it will be difficult for Gallagher to make his mark.
With this in mind, Allardyce has admitted that he does have some reservations about Gallagher’s future at Chelsea.
‘I wouldn’t spend too long there if I don’t get into the first team,’ he told talkSPORT, when discussing how Gallagher should handle his next career move.
‘He would want to go back and try and get in the team but I think if you do that, you’ve got to play enough first team games because if you don’t you can easily fall backwards like Jesse Lingard.
‘So you have to be very careful on your choices at the right time and if you’re playing as much football as Conor’s playing now, and enjoying it more than ever with Palace then you want to continue that.’
Sam Allardyce fears Gallagher’s development could stall if he struggles for minutes at Chelsea
He is concerned that Gallagher could find himself in a similar position to Jesse Lingard
Lingard flourished on loan at West Ham last term, scoring nine times for the Hammers in the second half of the campaign.
He decided he wanted to fight for his place at Manchester United this season, but his bold call has not paid off.
The England star has not started a single league game for the Red Devils in 2021-22, and he could leave the club shortly, with his contract set to expire in June.
