Conor Gallagher snubs Leeds United despite Thorp Arch medical
Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher has snubbed a loan move to Leeds United despite undergoing a medical with the Yorkshire club, according to 90min.
The football news website reports that Gallagher, 21, was on the cusp of signing for Leeds, agreeing terms, visiting Thorp Arch and having a medical before having his head turned by an approach from Crystal Palace.
Football.London journalist Sam Inkersole reports Gallagher is now set for a medical with the Eagles instead.
Rude
We have to take reports like this with a pinch of salt but that’s not great behaviour by Gallagher if he’s rocked up at Thorp Arch and wasted Leeds’ time like that.
Of course, the Chelsea midfielder wants what is best for his career because this loan move for him could be massive in terms of his future prospects at Stamford Bridge.
But to say you’ll sign for a club and then have a medical, only to refuse the deal because a club in London came calling isn’t great behaviour.
Why does he want to join Palace anyway?
We can think of two reasons why and that’s because they’re based closer to Chelsea or because Patrick Vieira has promised him a starting spot every week in the Premier League.
Leeds is obviously a better move for the all-action England Under-21 international, who shone on loan at West Brom last season.
Marcelo Bielsa loves a player who doesn’t stop running and constantly applies pressure on opposition players – Gallagher does exactly that.
Look at how Bielsa has improved loanees in the last few seasons and look at what he has done to Kalvin Phillips as a midfielder.
Gallagher has lost the plot by choosing Palace over the Whites.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites have agreed personal terms to sign another new player for Bielsa’s first-team.