Conor Gallagher should head out on loan once again next season in his push towards the Chelsea first-team.
Gallagher’s solid performances at the Championship clubs in his first full campaign at senior level has raised speculation he could make it into Frank Lampard’s squad at Stamford Bridge in 2020/21.
Lampard has been handing the talented players a real chance at becoming a regular player since he arrived last season, but Keith Andrews feels the 20-year-old would benefit from another year of experience away from SW6, and then come back and try to challenge for a regular spot.
Andrews told Sky: “When you look at it, 12 months ago at Chelsea this wouldn’t have even been a discussion, it would have been either he goes back on loan again or they sell him for a decent profit. I think now is a different scenario with Frank Lampard in charge.
“But those issues, the fact that there is a bit of competition in there.
“The other thing I would say is that he is still very, very young. I don’t see him going back there next season.
“I see him going back on loan because of his age. We talked about Ben White earlier, 22 years of age, the development he has had, the steps that he has had to take to get to this level, he is still 20, Conor Gallagher.”
Andrews is right and Gallagher would benefit from another season out on loan, but only if he joins a club that is willing to give him the game time that he needs to develop for the following seasons.