Emmanuel Petit has identified the perfect replacement for Conor Gallagher, should Chelsea decide to sell the popular midfielder this summer.
The England international’s future has been a subject of intense speculation for well over a year and has come close to leaving his boyhood club on several occasions.
Tottenham have regularly been linked with a move for the 24-year-old who will have no shortage of suitors having enjoyed his best season in a Chelsea shirt, despite another chaotic campaign at Stamford Bridge.
Given his homegrown status, Gallagher’s potential sale would represent pure profit for the Blues who are battling to comply with the Premier League’s spending rules.
Mauricio Pochettino, who parted company with the Blues last week, wanted to keep Gallagher, with his stance on the combative midfielder understood to have played a role in his eventual downfall.
Former Chelsea star Petit admits he cannot comprehend any decision that would see Gallagher depart in the transfer window, but believes PSG’s tough tackling Manuel Ugarte should be on the radar of whoever replaces Pochettino.
‘Why are Chelsea selling Gallagher, because of the money?’ Petit told BoyleSports. ‘I know they get pure profit on Gallagher but that should not mean you sell one of the most influential members of the team and one of the only English players.
‘It’s so important for the fans, identity and DNA of the club to have these players in the team, I don’t get it. Chelsea have spent a lot of money and they now have to sell their own players, they need to think about this before.
‘Ugarte could be a good replacement for Chelsea, though, as he’s a quality player. He was one of the first names on the team sheet for Enrique at PSG, but then he fell out of favour after they were thrashed by Newcastle.
‘He was on the bench after that and the mentality is to build from behind, but he doesn’t suit that well. Ugarte is very good, fighting for the second balls, providing balance for the team, but with the ball, he’s not the best in the team.
‘But if he joins Chelsea I think he could be a good fit in their team.’
Chelsea will doubtless look to strengthen their forward line as well once the window reopens, despite the progress made by Nicolas Jackson during the closing months of the season.
‘I think Chelsea should sign Rodrygo from Real Madrid to help Nicolas Jackson next season,’ added Petit.
‘With Mbappe arriving next season, one of Real’s big stars are going to be out of the XI, so I think this one makes sense for both parties.
‘Real Madrid could get a big fee and he will also be great for Jackson, although he is still young.’
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