At least eight (8!) clubs vying for Chelsea loanee Conor Gallagher — reports

Reigning Academy Player of the Year and former Development Squad Captain Conor Gallagher has been among Chelsea’s best loanees this season. The 19-year-old box-to-box midfielder has scored 6 goals and provided 2 assists already this season in the Championship, and it’s easy to envision the suddenly youth-centric Blues of Lampard & Morris giving him a good long look next the summer. However, summer is still a long way away, and Conor’s short-term future is far more uncertain.

While Gallagher is playing well at Charlton and has managed to establish himself as a starter under Lee Bowyer, Charlton aren't doing so well in the Championship. They sit just 19th in the table, just a few point about the relegation zone, and the forces that be are apparently considering a move to a better club and a bigger challenge for the second half of the season.

Football London's report talks about interest from Premier League clubs like Norwich City and Burnley (as a Danny Drinkwater replacement?) as well as Championship sides like West Brom (2nd), Millwall (7th) and Swansea City (6th). There is interest from outside England as well, with Glasgow Rangers apparently monitoring the situation. Meanwhile, the Daily Mail’s report also mentions QPR as one of the frontrunners for his signature. That’s seven (7!) interested teams if you’re keeping count. Eight (8!) if we include the option of staying at Charlton, which they probably would prefer.

Moving to a better team would allow Gallagher to play with better team-mates, thereby fostering quicker development. On the downside, it would mean having to adapt to a new coach in a new environment, and having to do so quickly.

With so many options, the final choice is in Conor's hands. Let's hope he makes the best choice for his career.