Why Chelsea can’t recall Gallagher from Crystal Palace in January

A clause in Conor Gallagher’s loan deal means Chelsea will be unable to recall him in January, The Times reports.

Blues youngster Gallagher has been outstanding for Crystal Palace, leading to speculation that Chelsea might take up an option to take him back to Stamford Bridge at the turn of the new year.

However, according to The Times, this option does not exist in Gallagher’s case.

Usually there is a clause in season-long loan deals enabling the parent club to recall their player in January.

But The Times say it was agreed that this would only apply if Gallagher had played in less than half of Palace’s Premier League matches.

He has played in all but one of their 17 matches and Chelsea would therefore not have the option of recalling him.

In any case, Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel has indicated that he believes the 21-year-old would be better served by staying at Selhurst Park for the season.

Tuchel was asked at a press conference last month about the possibility of Gallagher being recalled.

The German replied: “I have not thought about it to bring him back earlier.

“I think it’s important for him to be happy where he is and not change it.

“I feel he is happy there and I think everybody is happy. You have to process all these things.

“Right now, if you asked me today, I don’t think it’s necessary to change everything for him again in the winter.”