Charlton Atheltic loan star Conor Gallagher has been making headways this season. And it begs the question why Derby County didn’t look to bring him in.
Derby and Chelsea shared a special relationship last season. The Rams profited from the arrivals of Mason Mount and Fikayo Tomori on season-long loan deals.
Both players are now regulars at the Blues under manager Frank Lampard. Lampard, of course, traded Derby for Chelsea in the summer after one year at Pride Park.
Derby supporters thoroughly enjoyed the campaign under Lampard and Jody Morris. And most wish the managerial duo nothing but success at Stamford Bridge.
Owner Mel Morris was understandable of the move. He even suggested how the relationship with Lampard could see Derby have first pick on Chelsea’s next top talent.
MORE DERBY STORIES
Why didn’t Derby sign any Chelsea youngsters on loan?
The situation seems bizarre. Jake Clarke-Salter, Matt Miazga, Dujon Sterling, Trevoh Chalobah, Isaiah Brown and Conor Gallagher all joined Championship clubs on loan.
Derby seemingly had the opportunity to bring any one of these players in. And when you look at Gallagher’s impact at Charlton, the Rams were mad not to.
The 19-year-old midfielder has posted five goals and one assist in 11 starts. He capped his latest display off with a superb 25-yarder, ironically in a 3-0 win over Derby.
A recent report in The Scottish Sun claimed Chelsea were amazed by Gallagher’s development at The Valley. The England U21 international has been tipped for a big future.
Derby, meanwhile, struggled for any sort of creativity in their defeat at Charlton.
New manager Phillip Cocu has been dealt a difficult hand upon replacing Lampard. Summer recruitment was poor, and those in a scouting capacity must be questioned.
Everton’s Kieran Dowell has been poor and hasn’t featured since August. Jamie Paterson has been much better, but even he was a last-minute addition on loan from Bristol City.
Gallagher joined Charlton a month after Lampard’s switch to Chelsea. Derby had ample time to sort out a loan deal for him, but for some reason Gallagher went elsewhere.
Also see: Three Derby County players Rowett could target for Millwall – including £3m signing
Also see: 14-cap international shares how Derby pipped Celtic to £650k signing.