This apparently is not true. It was reported by the Sun? And talk sport?
Sky sports, Jacobs and every other outlet that does actual journalism reported that Gallagher was told in the meeting that he would be a “squad player” next season if he decided to stay. Squad players, to my knowledge, train with the team.
Atleti has given him a Monday deadline, and Gallagher has refused extensions at Chelsea. So considering the condensed timeline, I doubt they want him flying out to Nashville before he’s made some sort of decision. But that is a far cry from some of this stuff being reported: like he’s been locked out of the first team training facilities.
There are various stories from that point. The people Gallaghers camp feed info to claim he believes if given a chance he can force his way into Marescas team. Per New York Times
Chelsea apparently told him that if he did indeed prove them wrong, they would be willing to renegotiate the contract. They have renegotiated contracts, Palmer's being the latest, so that isn’t out of the realm of possibility.
But that is a big risk for Gallagher. They point to his starts last year, said he was our “best” player over the second half of the season. It would be more accurate to say “most available”, which IS a valuable thing. But especially the second half of the year guys like Cucurella, Caicedo, Gusto, Palmer all rated as high or higher in their play.
The deep pivot role is not one Gallagher is suited for. If healthy Lavia is head and shoulders best choice. Enzo no longer has 5 hernias and debilitating pain, and also plays that position well.But since Lavia is playing now, Enzo is being tried farther forward.
That leaves Gallagher competing with: Enzo, KDH, Caicedo, Palmer, Chukwuemeka, and Nkunku for two spots. And if injuries hit hard, Santos, who is really, really well suited to what we are doing could easily be recalled.
There is the ethos that Chelsea players have had throughout the last decade: when in doubt just try to outlast the manager. But that won’t work, because even if they fired Maresca, they have decided on a style of play after the Poch stopgap, and hired coaches and staff to suit it at all levels, including Strassbourg and academies.
Then you have to look out for the two buzz words that you see, even from the Gallagher camp leaks: “earned” and “assurances”.
And remember that the extension offer from 2022, which was also long term, was turned down because he wanted “assurances” of regular starts and that he wouldn’t be just a squad player - per Sky sports. Chelsea accepted the first offer for him over 18 months ago, after the 2022 discussions and subsequent rejection by Gallagher.
Atleti DO see him as a definitive starter and have a specific role for him in mind.
They are willing to give him “assurances” that Chelsea simply are not, because he suits them.
