Enzo Maresca reveals who to blame for Conor Gallagher sale
Conor Gallagher is set to join Atletico Madrid this summer
Enzo Maresca has expressed his frustration, claiming that he is a victim of circumstance and has been powerless to prevent the sale of Chelsea favourite Conor Gallagher.
Over the past few years, the Blues have sold several players who came through their academy, with Gallagher being the latest linked with a move to Spanish side Atletico Madrid.
Gallagher, who has been with Chelsea since the age of eight, is under contract until 2025, after which he could leave the club on a free transfer.
In recent times, Premier League clubs have increasingly viewed homegrown players as a source of revenue due to their ability to be marked as pure profit on the club’s financial statements.
Maresca, who is believed to see the England international as a squad player due to his planned playing style at Chelsea, insists that Premier League rules are to blame for the decision to let the fan favourite go.
“But this is not Chelsea’s problem, these are the rules,” said Maresca when asked whether academy players will find it hard to break into the Blues’ first team.
“All the clubs at this moment are compelled to sell players from the academy because of the rules. It’s all of the Premier League clubs’ problems.
“I also think the intention of the club is not to sell players from the academy but it is the rules at the end that you have to do it. It’s not only us, it’s all the Premier League clubs.
“It’s a shame because in Italy, we have Totti with Roma, 20 years with the same club.
“One-club-man; we love that in football, the fans want to see that.
“But with the rules now it is different than the past.
“If they want to protect academy players, then probably yes (they need to change the rules).”
Maresca added: “Nobody is going to be a regular starter because if I say someone is going to be a regular starter, I think it is a lack of respect.
“For them, they need to work day by day very hard and show me and convince me they are to play but nobody knows.
“In this moment, there is something between the club and the player; an agreement to stay or to leave.
“These kinds of things happen in every club, every summer and in the end the final decision will be good for everyone.
“Hopefully the final decision will be good for Conor and the club.”
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